How hard is it to get into Tulane?
With a 13% acceptance rate, Tulane University is highly selective — a reach for nearly every applicant. It enrolls roughly 8,200 undergraduates (urban setting) in New Orleans, LA. At this level, strong grades and scores are the baseline, not the differentiator — your essays and what makes you distinctive carry real weight.
What it takes to get in
- SAT: admitted students land around 1350–1500 (middle 50%). Aim for the upper end to be competitive.
- ACT: the middle 50% is about 31–34.
- GPA: admitted students average around 3.8. Rigor (APs/IB/honors) matters as much as the number.
- Testing policy: Test-optional. Confirm on the school's site, since policies shift each cycle.
- Essays: at Tulane's selectivity, the application essays are often what separates similar applicants. Make them specific and authentically yours.
Cost
Published tuition is about $64,000 per year before aid. Many students pay less after financial aid — check the school's net price calculator.
Notable programs
Public Health · Architecture · Latin American Studies · Community Service
Score your Tulane essays, free
Great numbers get you in the room; the essays get you in. Paste your draft into Halo for instant, rubric-based feedback. Halo never writes your essay for you.
Try Halo freeTulane admissions FAQ
- What is Tulane University's acceptance rate?
- Tulane University's acceptance rate is 13%, which makes it highly selective — a reach for nearly every applicant.
- What SAT or ACT score do you need for Tulane?
- Admitted students typically score about 1350–1500 on the SAT (middle 50%) and about 31–34 on the ACT. Scores at or above this range strengthen your application, but they are one factor among many.
- Is Tulane test-optional?
- Tulane University's current testing policy is: Test-optional. Always confirm on the school's admissions site, as policies change by cycle.
Sources & official links
- Tulane official website
- Tulane on College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)
- Admissions figures compiled from the Common Data Set and IPEDS.
Figures are the most recent available from Common Data Set, IPEDS, and public reports, and are approximate. Always confirm details on Tulane University’s official admissions site.