Loyola New Orleans has so much about it to like. It’s on the small side of medium with about 3200 undergrads, so not too big for those who prefer liberal arts colleges but not too small for people interested in a medium-sized school.
The student body is diverse, with 53% from out of state, 39% receiving Pell grants, and racially it’s 3% Asian, 20% Black, 21% Hispanic, 45% White, 5% 2+ races, 2% unknown, and 4% US Nonresident (source). Such a mix is hard to find outside of a few spots in the U.S., and not only is there diversity present, but all these groups interact a great deal, with Loyola New Orleans rating #2 in the country on Princeton Review’s list of Lots of Race/Class Interaction: Do different types of students interact frequently and easily?
It has a definite campus located in a neighborhood of historical houses and across the street from one of the city’s nicest parks. At its front door is also the streetcar that goes downtown and to the edge of the French Quarter. It’s in walking distance to a number of restaurants and coffee shops. Next door (literally) is Tulane, where Loyola students can use their meal plan money (source), borrow books (source), and take up to two classes per semester. The taking-classes-at-other campuses extends to other New Orleans consortium members like Xavier, Dillard, and Notre Dame Seminary (source). And for people who want to study further away in a different country, more than a quarter of students study abroad.
It’s a Jesuit school which means that it offers solid academics. It’s a religiously affiliated institution, but one that focuses on social justice. It’s also a welcoming place for LGBTQ students, as it says, “Loyola University New Orleans is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming space where our LGBTQ+ community can thrive,” and its actions reflect its statement.
Academically, it’s particularly well-known for its music programs, but it provides an overall strong education. And it does all of this with an 88% acceptance rate. College Navigator - Loyola University New Orleans