Delgado Community College: $4,678 Tuition

$4,678Tuition

11,182Students

22%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$33,305Earnings

Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Delgado Community College

Delgado Community College serves as New Orleans' primary pathway to affordable higher education and workforce training. The college enrolls 11,182 students across its campuses, making it one of Louisiana's largest community colleges. Students come here for practical programs that lead directly to jobs in healthcare, culinary arts, and skilled trades. Nearly 98% of students are Louisiana residents who value staying close to home while building career skills.

The financial picture makes sense for most students. After aid, families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,025 annually, while those earning $30,000-$48,000 pay even less at $10,382. Graduates earn a median of $33,305 ten years after enrollment, which provides a reasonable return given the typical debt load of $20,198. Monthly loan payments average $214, manageable for most working graduates.

The student body reflects New Orleans' diversity, with 53% Black students, 26% white students, and 12% Hispanic students. Women make up 71% of enrollment, typical for community colleges emphasizing healthcare and service programs. The 22% graduation rate within six years reflects the reality that many students transfer to four-year schools or enter the workforce before completing their programs. Three varsity sports teams compete as the Dolphins in NJCAA athletics.

Academics & Faculty

Delgado serves as New Orleans' largest community college, preparing students for both immediate careers and university transfer. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors across popular programs like nursing, culinary arts, and maritime technology. With a 22% six-year graduation rate, the college reflects typical community college completion patterns where many students attend part-time or leave early for employment. Delgado's culinary program capitalizes on New Orleans' restaurant culture, while its maritime offerings connect to the port city's shipping industry. The college operates multiple campuses throughout the metro area. Nearly 62% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school's role serving working-class families seeking affordable skills training and education.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 36.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 22.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $33,305

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$56,415
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$51,169
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$48,849
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$48,041
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$45,584
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$43,798
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$43,128
Data Processing.	Associate	$37,208
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Associate	$36,488
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Certificate	$34,847

View all 75 programs →

Campus Life

Delgado spans multiple campuses across New Orleans, with the main City Park campus sitting in the heart of America's most unique city. You'll need sunscreen year-round in this subtropical climate where winter means 60-degree days and summer brings sweltering heat and afternoon thunderstorms. The college draws 98% of its students from Louisiana, creating a tight-knit community rooted in local culture.

With 71% female enrollment, the campus skews heavily toward women pursuing healthcare and technical programs. Most students commute since this is a community college without dorms. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means you'll get personal attention in smaller classes. Weekends often mean exploring the French Quarter, catching live music on Frenchmen Street, or attending local festivals. The Dolphins compete in just three NJCAA sports with only 60 total athletes, so school spirit centers more around academic programs than athletics. Students frequently work while attending classes, contributing to the practical, career-focused atmosphere that defines the Delgado experience.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1921

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 46°–64°F
July Avg: 76°–93°F
Annual Precipitation: 64.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Delgado serves New Orleans and the surrounding parishes, with 98% of students coming from Louisiana. The student body is majority African American, reflecting the demographics of the city and the college's role as an accessible pathway to higher education in the region. Women make up more than two-thirds of enrollment, which aligns with Delgado's strong nursing, allied health, and human services programs. Most students qualify for Pell Grants, demonstrating the college's mission to serve working-class families seeking career training and affordable education pathways.

Men: 28.6%
Women: 71.5%
White: 26.4%
Black: 53.0%
Hispanic: 11.8%
Asian: 2.3%
In-State Students: 98.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 61.8%

Location

New Orleans serves as home base for this community college in Louisiana's cultural capital. The school sits in the heart of a major metropolitan area with over 380,000 residents. Students experience life in one of America's most distinctive cities, known for jazz music, Creole cuisine, and historic French Quarter architecture. The Gulf Coast location brings subtropical weather and hurricane season considerations. With 98.34% of students coming from in-state, most are already familiar with New Orleans' unique blend of cultures and traditions. The city's tourism and hospitality industries provide abundant internship and job opportunities for graduates. Students considering colleges in Louisiana may also compare Delgado Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: New Orleans, Louisiana 70119

Delgado Community College Campus New Orleans April 2017 06

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $33,305
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,501
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $28,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 48.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $214/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $20,198

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission to Delgado Community College?

Community colleges like Delgado typically have open admission policies, welcoming students regardless of high school grades. With 11,182 students enrolled, Delgado serves as an accessible entry point to higher education in New Orleans. The college attracts students seeking affordable career training and transfer preparation.

What does Delgado Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $11,926 annually, with tuition at $4,678 for both in-state and out-of-state residents. About 62% of students receive financial aid, keeping costs manageable for working families. Low-income students with family incomes under $30,000 pay around $11,025 net price.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Delgado Community College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 18:1, typical for community colleges balancing accessibility with personal attention. Classes focus on practical skills training and career preparation across various technical programs. The college emphasizes hands-on learning in fields like culinary arts, nursing, and maritime technology.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Delgado Community College?

The six-year graduation rate is 22%, reflecting the reality that many community college students attend part-time while working. However, 91% of graduates find employment, with median earnings of $33,305 ten years after enrollment. Students often transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce with valuable technical credentials.

Where is Delgado Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college operates multiple campuses throughout New Orleans, serving a diverse student body that is 53% Black and 71% female. With only 60 athletes across three varsity sports, Delgado focuses more on academics than athletics. Nearly 98% of students are Louisiana residents, reflecting the college's role as a local workforce development center.

What makes Delgado Community College unique in New Orleans?

Founded in 1921, Delgado has deep roots in New Orleans and specializes in programs that serve the city's unique economy, including culinary arts and maritime technology. The college's location gives students access to internships in the tourism, port, and energy industries that drive the region. Students can earn credentials in fields like Coast Guard licensing and restaurant management that directly connect to local job markets.