Southern University at New Orleans

Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) was founded as a branch unit of Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College in Baton Rouge (SUBR) on September 4, 1956.

On September 21, 1959, SUNO opened its doors on a 17-acre site located in historic Pontchartrain Park, a subdivision of primarily African American single-family residents in eastern New Orleans.

Established as an open community of learners, classes began with 158 freshmen, one building, and a motivated faculty of 15. The University offered 10 courses in four academic disciplines: Humanities, Science, Social Science, and Commerce.

Today, SUNO serves as a beacon for those looking for educational advancement in an environment that provides the personal attention students need for success.

Our mission is to be one of America’s premier institutions of higher learning and to graduate students ready to contribute to the city and nation.

Our Mission

Southern University at New Orleans, a public, historically black university, empowers and promotes the upward mobility of diverse populations of traditional and nontraditional students through quality academic programs, teaching, research, and service to achieve excellence in higher education using various teaching and learning modalities.

Our Vision

Southern University at New Orleans is a premier, cutting-edge institution that endeavors to advance the educational standing of students by preparing them to participate in and contribute to a global society and workforce development with the necessary skills, knowledge, and dispositions to improve their life-long learning skills and contributions to society through a TEAM (“Togetherness Empowers All Mechanisms”) approach.

Our Core Values

• Respect We believe and will continue to ensure that all individuals across our campus are respectful of each other in their daily interactions and activities and under all circumstances, and we seek to affirm and reinforce that mutual respect is received.
• Academic Excellence We will ensure that our students are prepared to be effective and productive citizens in the 21st century by offering a challenging and well-rounded curriculum and ensuring learning outcomes.
• Accountability We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions and decisions and expect the same from our internal and external stakeholders.
• Integrity We will exhibit integrity through consistency in our values, methods, principles, expectations, and outcomes.
• Transparency As part of our responsibility to our stakeholders, we will ensure that our business and educational practices are open and available for review.
• Service We will continue to provide aid to the local community through service-learning, community service, and faculty engagement to make a positive impact within New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.
• Inclusion and Diversity We will continue to foster inclusions that lead to the diversity of the University community and stakeholders.

You are ready

The best way to experience all that college life has to offer you is by enjoying the independence of living in our university residence halls. Living on campus will surround you with friends, fun, and endless opportunities to pursue your academic and co-curricular interests. With a diverse student body and a wide variety of activities on campus, it’s easy to find a place to fit in and make memories that will last a lifetime.

In fact, research shows that when you live on-campus you will improve your classroom performance, be more likely to graduate on time, and develop connections that are more lasting.

Residential life mission

It is the mission of the Department of Residential Life at Southern University at New Orleans is to ensure a safe, secure, and supportive environment within our vibrant community where students have the opportunity to create meaningful relationships while achieving academic and personal success. The Department of Residential Life strives to embrace the SUNO traditions through interactions with students.

• Provide a safe and secure environment in the Residential Apartments
• Establish an inclusive community
• Provide opportunities to residents through collaborative efforts with other departments 
• Enrich the academic experience for all residents outside the classroom

• Established: September 4, 1956
• Opened: September 21, 1959
• Type of Institution: Public, 4-year, Co-educational
• System Affiliation: Southern University System
• Admission Criteria: Minimum Standards Required
• Degrees Offered: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s
• Term: Semester
• Student Population: 2,308
• Tuition & Fees (In-State/Out-of-State): $2,874.50/$4,450.43 per semester
• Housing: Ranges from $2,265 to $4,310 per semester
• Properties:
• Park Campus (Main) 6400 Press Drive New Orleans, LA 70126
• Lake Campus 6801 Press Drive New Orleans, LA 70126
• Student Housing Complex 7000 Press Driven New Orleans, LA 70126
• Distance from Downtown New Orleans: Approximately 7 Miles
• University Colors: Columbia Blue & Sunset Gold
• Mascot: Knight
• Athletic Affiliations: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)

Here at SUNO, we have expanded our scholarship opportunities to be able to reach all students who choose to continue their academic studies here at SUNO. We have three scholarship opportunities designed for all types of students. Whether you are a first-time freshman, transfer student, or out-of-state student we have an opportunity for you. All of our scholarships are merit-based, which means upon your admittance to the university and your enrollment is confirmed; you are automatically considered for a scholarship. No application is required.

Fellows Scholarship

The Fellows Scholarship is the most comprehensive scholarship we offer here at SUNO. This scholarship is awarded to students who have performed at a high level throughout their high school careers. This scholarship is for four years pending your academic performance. In order to maintain the scholarship, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 each semester to maintain the scholarship. To qualify for this scholarship you must have the following:

1. High School Grade Point Average of 3.0;
2. A minimum composite ACT score of 24 or the SAT equivalent which is 1160-1190;
3. Must be a first-time student enrolled at full-time status. 12hrs or greater.

Transfer Scholarship

The Transfer Scholarship is designed for incoming transfer students with strong credentials. Students transferring to SUNO are welcome to extend their education with us and this scholarship rewards them for their academic progress thus far in their academic careers. The scholarship is good for 2 consecutive years (fall and spring) in the amount of $1,000.00 total per academic year. To qualify for this scholarship you must have the following:

1. Must be in good academic standing from the previous school;
2. 3.0 or above on all college-level coursework;
3.  Must have earned an Associate’s Degree.

SUNO 1st

The SUNO 1st Scholarship is offered on a first come first serve basis. The awards are based on your incoming GPA and ACT or SAT test scores. You have the possibility of being awarded up to $2,500.00 pending your performance. This award is for your first year (fall and spring). To qualify for this scholarship you must have the following:

1.  Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3;
2. Minimum ACT of 15 or SAT of 810-850.

$4,450.43 Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate students (typically four courses worth three credits each) for a total of 12 hours minimum per semester.

$3,470.69 Graduate Tuition

Graduate students (typically three courses worth three credits each) for a total of nine hours minimum per semester.

• Estimated Cost of Living: $7,400.00 + $5,000.00 for each dependent
• Spring Semester: January – May 
• Summer Session
• Fall Semester: August – December

*Students are allowed to enroll in one online course per semester*

To Apply for Admissions

• Non-refundable application fee of $30 
• Official High School Transcripts (Send to WES for evaluation) 
• Submit ACT, SAT, or GRE scores 
• Immunization records

If accepted, provide:

• Submit Notarized Financial Statement (Bank Statement of at least $24,000.00) per academic year 
• SEVIS I-20 issued 
• Apply for Student Visa in the US Embassy in your country of origin