Enrollment Insights: Tulane University's Student Population

Tulane University, officially the Tulane University of Louisiana, is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1834, the university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,295 as of Fall 2023. The university's campus size is 110 acres, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is the only specialty school of its kind in the U.S. The university offers a wide range of degrees and is known for its diverse and academically qualified student body.

Tulane University's undergraduate enrollment

Current Undergraduate Enrollment

As of fall 2023, Tulane University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,295 students. This number represents a slight decrease from previous years, as the university continues to adjust its admissions and enrollment policies.

Historical Undergraduate Enrollment

In 2022, Tulane University had a total enrollment of 14,027 students, including both undergraduate and graduate programs. Of these, 11,475 were full-time undergraduate students, indicating a healthy interest in the university's undergraduate programs.

In the 2020-2021 academic year, Tulane University's undergraduate enrollment stood at 8,549 students. This number has varied over time due to various factors influencing the university's appeal and selectivity.

Admissions and Applications

Tulane University is a highly selective institution, with a low acceptance rate. For the class of 2028, the university received more than 32,000 applications and admitted just over 4,500 students. The average GPA and SAT scores of admitted students are typically very competitive, with a strong focus on academic excellence.

Demographics and Diversity

Tulane University boasts a diverse student body, with students coming from a wide range of backgrounds. In terms of race and ethnicity, the undergraduate population is predominantly White (59.7%), followed by Black or African American (8.84%), Hispanic or Latino (8.79%), Asian (5.55%), and Two or More Races (3.66%). Additionally, the university has a significant international student population, with students coming from over 50 states and more than 75 countries.

Academic Offerings and Appeal

Tulane University offers a wide range of academic programs and majors to its undergraduate students. With over 75 different majors within five undergraduate schools, students have a vast array of options to choose from. The university also provides numerous opportunities for undergraduate research, study abroad programs, and community service initiatives, making it a well-rounded and appealing choice for prospective students.

In summary, Tulane University's undergraduate enrollment has varied over the years, with the university attracting a large number of applications due to its prestigious reputation and diverse academic offerings. The university's selectivity and focus on research and community engagement contribute to its appeal, shaping the undergraduate enrollment numbers over time.

Graduate and professional student numbers

The university's graduate and professional student population is part of the total student body, which was 14,472 in 2020-2021. The undergraduate population during this period was 8,549. Tulane University's total student population includes a significant number of international students, with 49 states and territories, and 55 countries represented in the Class of 2028.

The university's graduate and professional student population is served by a range of academic programmes and resources. Tulane University offers degrees in various fields, including architecture, business, law, liberal arts, medicine, public health, tropical medicine, sciences, engineering, and social work. The university is also home to numerous research centres and institutes, contributing to its high research activity ranking.

The graduate and professional student population at Tulane University benefits from a low student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, allowing for more personalised attention and support. The university's commitment to graduate and professional education is further demonstrated by its establishment of the School of Graduate Studies in 1925, which later became the Graduate School.

Racial and ethnic diversity

Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a private institution founded in 1834. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 7,300 to 8,500 students and a campus size of 110 acres. The university's total enrollment is approximately 13,927 students, with 7,851 undergraduates and 3,296 graduate students. The gender breakdown of the student population is 61% female and 39% male.

Tulane University's student body exhibits a certain level of racial and ethnic diversity, although it has been described as below average in this regard. The majority of students are White, with the university's racial/ethnic minority population accounting for about 26% of the total student population.

The Class of 2028 Profile provides a more detailed breakdown of the racial and ethnic composition of the student body. According to this profile, 6% of the students identify as African American or Black, 12% as Hispanic or Latino/a/x, less than 1% as Indigenous/Native American, 5% as having two or more races, and 6% including non-US citizens and those reporting additional identities.

The university's faculty also demonstrates racial and ethnic diversity, with a higher-than-average diversity score. While the majority of teachers are White, the faculty includes Black or African American individuals and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders.

Gender and sexual identity

Tulane University is a private institution in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,295 students as of Fall 2023. The university's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is the only specialty school of its kind in the United States.

Tulane University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community that values and celebrates the range of gender and sexual identities among its members. The university offers a variety of resources, programs, and academic offerings that reflect this commitment.

The Office for Gender & Sexual Diversity (OGSD) at Tulane strives for Queer & Trans Liberation rooted in anti-racism, accessibility, and decolonization. The OGSD serves students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and it is accountable to the Queer and Trans communities in New Orleans. The office creates a community that honours diverse values, contributions, and experiences, with a particular focus on individuals holding multiple marginalised identities within the LGBTQ+ community. The OGSD provides educational workshops, LGBTQ+ programs, and advocates for improved university policies and processes that support LGBTQ+ individuals on campus.

The university also offers a Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, which provides an interdisciplinary investigation of gender and sexuality as social, cultural, and political phenomena. The program offers a Major, a Minor, and a Graduate Certificate. Students can choose from over forty courses taught by faculty from a variety of academic departments and schools within Tulane. The courses within this program cover topics such as Sex, Power and Culture; Special Topics in Gender and/or Sexuality; Introduction to Gender and Sex Studies; Critical Inquiry and Praxis; Gender and Archives; Sexuality in US History; and Gender and Sexuality Theory. These courses encourage students to critically examine the social construction of gender and sexuality, the intersections of gender and sexuality with other systems of inequality, and the history of sexuality.

The university also offers support specifically for female students through the Newcomb College Institute, which hosts symposiums and guest speakers and provides mentors to young women.

Tulane's acceptance rate

Tulane University, a private institution located in New Orleans, Louisiana, has an extremely competitive acceptance rate of around 11% to 13% for the class of 2028. This is a significant drop from previous years, with an acceptance rate of 26% in 2016 and nearly 80% in 1998. The university received over 30,000 applications for the class of 2028, with just over 4,500 students admitted. The average GPA for admitted students was 3.79, and the average SAT and ACT scores were 1490 and 33, respectively.

The low acceptance rate at Tulane can be attributed to two main factors. Firstly, the university's aggressive marketing campaigns have encouraged a larger number of students to apply, increasing competition. Secondly, Tulane strongly favours applicants who apply through Early Decision, accepting two-thirds of its freshman class through this route in previous years. The Early Decision acceptance rate for the class of 2027 was 68%, while the Regular Decision acceptance rate is much lower.

The university's admissions process considers various factors beyond academic scores. The rigor of an applicant's secondary school record, academic GPA, and class rank are rated as "very important." Recommendations, standardised test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, first-generation status, volunteer work, and demonstrated interest are also considered "important" factors. Additionally, being a recruited athlete for one of Tulane's 14 Division I sports teams can provide an advantage in the admissions process.

In summary, Tulane University's acceptance rate of around 11% to 13% for the class of 2028 highlights the highly competitive nature of admissions. The university's marketing strategies and preference for Early Decision applicants have contributed to the low acceptance rate. However, it's important to note that Tulane's admissions process considers a holistic range of factors beyond just academic scores.

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