Best private colleges in Louisiana

Written by:
September 16, 2025
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Best private colleges in Louisiana

Almost all the oldest universities in the United States are private colleges. Harvard and St. John's College, for example, were both founded before the 18th century and boast alumni and founders, respectively, who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Though these schools may be esteemed, numerous other private colleges also provide students with a top-tier education. Stacker compiled a list of the best private colleges in Louisiana using 2026 Niche rankings. Niche ranks schools based on various factors, including academics, value for money, professors, campus, and diversity. See the complete methodology here.

Private institutions today remain distinguished by their source of funding. While public colleges and universities are at least partially subsidized by state government funding, private institutions are funded by tuition dollars, endowments, grants, and donations. As a result, private schools tend to be more expensive. According to the College Board's 2024 Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid report, average tuition for students attending private four-year institutions was $43,350 during the 2024-2025 school year. Meanwhile, the average tuition for full-time in-state undergraduate students at public four-year colleges was $11,610, and $30,780 for out-of-state students.

Private and public schools play important roles in the postsecondary landscape, offering rigorous courses and valuable opportunities outside the classroom. However, some characteristics of private institutions—namely, size, reputation, and flexibility—make them more appealing to prospective students.

Private colleges, which tend to be more selective, generally offer smaller class sizes and, by extension, more direct instruction and support. Large lectures with around 100 students are more of an exception at private schools than at public colleges. Private colleges may also attract more distinguished faculty based on prestige.

While the quality of education students receive at private institutions is not necessarily better than that at public schools, graduates of private colleges earn 3.5% more than public school grads on average, according to a 2023 analysis from Degreechoices.

However, within specific majors, the institution that a student attends may significantly affect earnings outcomes. For students entering college without a well-defined idea of what discipline they want to pursue, the flexibility to explore various subjects at a liberal arts institution often makes private colleges an appealing option.

Read on to see the highest-ranked private colleges in Louisiana.

1 / 6
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#6. Dillard University

- Niche Grade: C+
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Full time undergrad enrollment: 1,071 (12:1 student to faculty ratio)
- SAT Range: 970-1150

2 / 6
Sean Locke Photography // Shutterstock

#5. Xavier University of Louisiana

- Niche Grade: B-
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Full time undergrad enrollment: 2,452 (9:1 student to faculty ratio)
- SAT Range: 950-1140

3 / 6
4 PM production // Shutterstock

#4. Loyola University New Orleans

- Niche Grade: B-
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Full time undergrad enrollment: 2,868 (10:1 student to faculty ratio)
- SAT Range: 1050-1240

4 / 6
mangpor2004 // Shutterstock

#3. Centenary College of Louisiana

- Niche Grade: B-
- Location: Shreveport, LA
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Full time undergrad enrollment: 684 (10:1 student to faculty ratio)
- SAT Range: 1040-1210

5 / 6
alexkich // Shutterstock

#2. Louisiana Christian University

- Niche Grade: B
- Location: Pineville, LA
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Full time undergrad enrollment: 719 (10:1 student to faculty ratio)
- SAT Range: 1020-1190

6 / 6
Joyseulay // Shutterstock

#1. Tulane University

- Niche Grade: A+
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Acceptance Rate: 15%
- Full time undergrad enrollment: 8,160 (5:1 student to faculty ratio)
- SAT Range: 1390-1510

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cu Fleshman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 47 states.

Explore by Metro

Acadia Parish

Explore

Alexandria

Explore

Allen Parish

Explore

Ascension Parish

Explore

Assumption Parish

Explore

Avoyelles Parish

Explore

Baton Rouge

Explore

Beauregard Parish

Explore

Bienville Parish

Explore

Bossier Parish

Explore

Caddo Parish

Explore

Calcasieu Parish

Explore

Caldwell Parish

Explore

Cameron Parish

Explore

Catahoula Parish

Explore

Claiborne Parish

Explore

Concordia Parish

Explore

De Soto Parish

Explore

East Baton Rouge Parish

Explore

East Carroll Parish

Explore

East Feliciana Parish

Explore

Evangeline Parish

Explore

Franklin Parish

Explore

Grant Parish

Explore

Hammond

Explore

Houma

Explore

Iberia Parish

Explore

Iberville Parish

Explore

Jackson Parish

Explore

Jefferson Davis Parish

Explore

Jefferson Parish

Explore

LaSalle Parish

Explore

Lafayette

Explore

Lafayette Parish

Explore

Lafourche Parish

Explore

Lake Charles

Explore

Lincoln Parish

Explore

Livingston Parish

Explore

Madison Parish

Explore

Monroe

Explore

Morehouse Parish

Explore

Natchitoches Parish

Explore

New Orleans

Explore

Ouachita Parish

Explore

Plaquemines Parish

Explore

Pointe Coupee Parish

Explore

Rapides Parish

Explore

Red River Parish

Explore

Richland Parish

Explore

Sabine Parish

Explore

Shreveport

Explore

St. Bernard Parish

Explore

St. Charles Parish

Explore

St. Helena Parish

Explore

St. James Parish

Explore

St. John the Baptist Parish

Explore

St. Landry Parish

Explore

St. Martin Parish

Explore

St. Mary Parish

Explore

St. Tammany Parish

Explore

Tangipahoa Parish

Explore

Tensas Parish

Explore

Terrebonne Parish

Explore

Union Parish

Explore

Vermilion Parish

Explore

Vernon Parish

Explore

Washington Parish

Explore

Webster Parish

Explore

West Baton Rouge Parish

Explore

West Carroll Parish

Explore

West Feliciana Parish

Explore

Winn Parish

Explore

Trending Now