Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans

843Students

$78,495Earnings

Public4-yearData: 2023-24

About Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans

LSU Health Sciences Center trains the next generation of healthcare professionals who will serve Louisiana and beyond. This specialized health sciences university enrolls just 843 students in the heart of New Orleans, focusing exclusively on medicine, dentistry, nursing, and allied health programs. The intimate setting allows students to work closely with faculty in clinical training environments across the city's major hospitals.

Students here graduate with relatively manageable debt loads. The median debt of $19,500 is well below national averages for health professional programs. Graduates earn a median of $78,495 ten years after graduation, making the investment worthwhile for most students. Only 22% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from middle-class families who still benefit from the reasonable costs. Monthly loan payments average just $207 for those who borrow.

Women make up 86% of the student body, reflecting the gender composition typical of nursing and allied health programs. The 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention during clinical rotations and laboratory work. With a 98.5% employment rate, graduates find jobs quickly in Louisiana's healthcare system. The location in New Orleans provides access to strong medical facilities including Ochsner, Tulane Medical Center, and the VA hospital.

Academics & Faculty

This health sciences university trains the next generation of Louisiana's medical workforce through specialized programs in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and allied health. The 3:1 student-faculty ratio provides intensive mentorship crucial for rigorous healthcare education. Students graduate with a median debt of just $19,500, remarkably low for medical training. The school's 98.5% employment rate reflects strong demand for healthcare professionals in Louisiana and beyond. Women comprise 85.88% of students, typical for health sciences programs. The institution's focus on practical clinical training prepares graduates for immediate entry into high-demand healthcare careers, with median earnings reaching $78,495 within ten years of graduation.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 3:1
Full-Time Faculty: 71.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $78,495
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (Mixed)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Dental Residency Programs.	Doctoral	$198,793
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Doctoral	$170,926
Dentistry.	Doctoral	$111,769
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Master	$99,325
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$98,670
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.	Doctoral	$73,215
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.	Doctoral	$68,219
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Bachelor	$62,579
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$62,433
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.	Master	$60,399

View all 35 programs →

Campus Life

LSU Health Sciences Center sits in downtown New Orleans, where students train for healthcare careers surrounded by the energy of one of America's most distinctive cities. With just 843 students and a 3:1 student-faculty ratio, this feels more like an intensive medical bootcamp than a traditional college experience. Women make up 85.88% of the student body, reflecting the healthcare field's demographics.

Only 186 students can live on campus, meaning most commute from apartments throughout New Orleans. The city's year-round warmth means students pack scrubs and light jackets rather than heavy winter coats. Weekends often blend study sessions with New Orleans culture - students decompress at jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street or grab beignets at Café du Monde between clinical rotations.

The campus operates on pure professional focus rather than campus traditions or sports culture. Students spend more time in hospitals and clinics than lecture halls. With a 98.5% employment rate, graduates enter Louisiana's healthcare system well-prepared. The median debt of $19,500 reflects the school's public status and specialized mission.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 186 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0	3
Burglary	2	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

Women make up nearly 86% of the student body, reflecting the nursing and allied health programs that dominate this specialized institution. The school draws primarily from Louisiana and the Gulf South, building the region's healthcare workforce. With just 843 students total, the intimate setting creates tight-knit cohorts within each health profession. About 22% receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves students from diverse economic backgrounds. The student body is 59% white and 18% Black, mirroring Louisiana's demographics as future healthcare providers prepare to serve their home communities.

Men: 14.1%
Women: 85.9%
White: 58.6%
Black: 18.2%
Hispanic: 9.4%
Asian: 8.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 21.9%

Location

This health sciences university sits in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of the South's most distinctive major cities. The campus operates in an urban setting with a population over 380,000 people. New Orleans brings a unique cultural blend of French, Spanish, and Creole influences that shapes everything from architecture to cuisine. The city's historic medical district provides clinical training opportunities at major hospitals and medical centers. Students experience the energy of a large metropolitan area known for jazz music, Mardi Gras celebrations, and world-well-known food culture. The humid subtropical climate means warm temperatures year-round. Students considering colleges in Louisiana may also compare Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans with similar schools in the region.

Address: New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2223

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $78,495
Median Earnings (5 years): $78,671
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $65,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 80.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $207/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $19,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body composition like at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans?

The university enrolls just 843 students, making it one of the smallest health sciences centers in the region. Women comprise 85.88% of the student body, reflecting the gender distribution typical of nursing and allied health programs. The diverse student population is 58.60% White, 18.15% Black, 9.37% Hispanic, and 8.54% Asian.

How much debt do graduates typically have from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans?

Graduates leave with a median debt of just $19,500, remarkably low for a health sciences education. Only 21.93% of students receive financial aid, suggesting many come from families that can afford the specialized training. Monthly loan payments average $207, making this one of the most affordable paths to healthcare careers.

What makes the academic experience unique at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans?

The school maintains an exceptional 3:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring intensive mentorship in clinical training. This specialized institution focuses exclusively on preparing healthcare professionals including doctors, dentists, nurses, and allied health workers for Louisiana's medical system. The semester calendar allows for extended clinical rotations in New Orleans' major medical centers.

What are the career outcomes for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans graduates?

Graduates achieve an outstanding 98.5% employment rate, reflecting the high demand for healthcare professionals. The median earnings one year after graduation reach $73,490, climbing to $78,495 after ten years in practice. With an 80.80% loan repayment rate, graduates successfully manage their educational investments while building medical careers.

Where do students live at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans?

The university offers limited on-campus housing with capacity for just 186 students, about 22% of the total enrollment. Most students find apartments in New Orleans' medical district or surrounding neighborhoods. The urban setting provides easy access to clinical training sites throughout the city's extensive healthcare network.

How does Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans serve the state's healthcare needs?

As Louisiana's primary health sciences training institution, the university addresses critical healthcare workforce shortages across the state. With 31.36% of students taking federal loans, the school remains accessible to diverse economic backgrounds. The specialized focus on training doctors, dentists, nurses, and allied health professionals directly supports Louisiana's public health infrastructure.