Dillard University logo

Dillard University

New Orleans, LA · Private Nonprofit

Visit Website →
40.5%
Acceptance (Fall 2023)
1085
SAT
$29,621
Sticker Price
$19,167
Net Price*
$37,014
Earnings 10 yrs after enrolling
38.1 yrs
Payback
8,065
Applicants

*Net price for families earning $48k–$75k. See all income brackets →

Apply Now Admissions Info Financial Aid Net Price Calculator

Should I apply to Dillard University?

Enter your SAT or ACT score to see where you stand.

or

What is Dillard University's acceptance rate?

Down 20.2 percentage points since 2018

With a 40.5% acceptance rate, Dillard University is considered selective. The school has become increasingly competitive over the past five years. Applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and authentic personal essays to stand out in the applicant pool.

How many students apply to Dillard University?

Dillard University received 8,065 applications in 2023, up 34% since 2018. High application volume means admissions officers spend limited time per application—typically 8-15 minutes. Make every word count in your essays and ensure your application materials are error-free.

Applications
Admitted

How many admitted students enroll?

The yield rate of 8% is typical for a school of this caliber. Yield rate measures how many admitted students actually enroll—a key indicator of how desirable students find the school. Demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits, attending info sessions, and writing specific "Why Us" essays can improve your chances.

What are the most popular majors at Dillard University?

Business Administration, Management and Operations leads as the most popular major at Dillard University. Your intended major can affect admission chances—some programs are more competitive than others. Research department-specific requirements, faculty research, and career outcomes when choosing your major. Consider how your academic interests align with the school's strengths.

How have majors changed over time?

Degrees awarded by major, 2015–2024

How has tuition changed at Dillard University?

Tuition has increased by 28% since 2015. Total cost of attendance (including fees and room & board) has grown 25% from $23,638 to $29,621.

Tuition Total Cost

How much do Dillard University graduates earn by major?

Graduates in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing earn among the highest salaries, with median earnings of $59,253 within two years of graduation. Earnings vary significantly by major—STEM and business fields typically offer higher starting salaries, while humanities and arts may have different career trajectories. Consider both passion and practical outcomes when choosing your field of study.

Median two years after graduating, for graduates of each program — not the same measure as the headline earnings figure above, which covers everyone who enrolled, ten years after starting. Source: College Scorecard field-of-study file, June 2026.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Ad... $59,253 38 grads
$8,056 $113,585
Business Administration, Manag... $20,140
$8,056 $113,585
Communication and Media Studie... $20,140 29 grads · small sample
$8,056 $113,585
Public Health $26,037 48 grads
$8,056 $113,585
Biology, General $22,771 22 grads · small sample
$8,056 $113,585
Accounting and Related Service... $33,993
$8,056 $113,585
Sociology $29,685
$8,056 $113,585
Psychology, General $28,960 16 grads · small sample
$8,056 $113,585
This school National avg

What do Dillard University graduates actually earn?

The median tells one story, but outcomes vary widely. Here's the full range of earnings 10 years after enrollment for graduates of Dillard University.

25th: $23,757 Median: $37,014 75th: $52,462
10th: $8,300 90th: $69,300

Earnings range for graduates 10 years after enrollment. The green bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile). Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release.

How do Dillard University earnings grow over time?

Median earnings from 1 year after completion through 11 years after enrollment. Early-career earnings show what graduates earn soon after graduating, while later years reflect career growth and advancement.

Do Dillard University earnings vary by family income?

Median earnings of graduates grouped by their family income when they enrolled. Research shows family income can influence post-graduation outcomes through networking, unpaid internship access, and career choice flexibility.

Gender earnings gap at Dillard University

Median earnings comparison between male and female graduates. The gap reflects differences in major choice, industry, and broader labor market patterns — not necessarily pay discrimination for the same role.

Dillard University Admissions Statistics (2015–2023)

Each row shows the admissions cycle for that academic year. Applicants is the total number of students who applied for freshman admission. Admitted shows how many received acceptance letters. Rate is the acceptance rate (admitted ÷ applicants) — lower percentages indicate more selective schools. Yield measures the percentage of admitted students who actually enrolled — a high yield (above 50%) suggests the school is a top choice for admitted students, while lower yields indicate students often choose other options. SAT shows the 25th-75th percentile range, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students scored within this range. Data is sourced from IPEDS, the federal database where all US colleges report annually.

Year Applicants Admitted Rate Yield
2023 8,065 3,267 40.5% 7.6%
2022 5,052 4,036 79.9% 8.3%
2021 6,188 3,417 55.2% 9.5%
2020 5,783 3,777 65.3% 8.2%
2019 9,203 3,572 38.8% 8.8%
2018 6,015 3,652 60.7% 10.2%
2017 6,445 2,630 40.8% 12.8%
2016 5,795 2,283 39.4% 15.9%
2015 4,615 2,197 47.6% 13.5%

Is Dillard University worth it?

Calculate your personal ROI

4-Year Sticker Price --
4-Year Net Cost --
Earnings & ROI Range (10yr)
Conservative (25th pct) -- --
Expected (median) -- --
Optimistic (75th pct) -- --
Payback Period --

Estimates based on College Scorecard averages. Use official calculator →

Get a Personalized ROI Comparison

Compare net cost and ROI across your college shortlist — tailored to your family income and major.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

What do Dillard University graduates earn?

Median Earnings (10 years)
$37,014
Earnings Range (10th - 90th percentile)
$8,300 $37,014 median $69,300

Earnings vary widely: the bottom 10% earn $8,300 while the top 10% earn $69,300. Your outcome depends heavily on major, career path, and individual circumstances.

Median Earnings (6 years)
$29,132
Median Debt
$31,250
6-Year Graduation Rate
49.5%

How much does Dillard University cost?

The total cost of attendance at Dillard University is approximately $29,621 per year. Remember: sticker price rarely equals actual cost. Most students receive financial aid, and net price varies significantly by family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate before ruling out any option based on cost alone.

Tuition
$17,410
Fees
$1,871
Room & Board
$10,340
Total Cost of Attendance
$29,621

What You'll Actually Pay

Net price is what aided families paid after grants and scholarships, averaged within each income band. Your own cost depends on income, assets and the school's aid policies, so treat these as a floor rather than a quote. Many selective private schools are more affordable than public universities for middle and lower-income families because of generous institutional aid.

$0-30k income $17,736
$30-48k income $18,658
$48-75k income $19,167
$75-110k income $24,682
$110k+ income $22,450
No aid $29,621

These averages cover only students who received federal financial aid — a Pell Grant, a federal loan or work-study. Families who pay their own way are not included, so the higher brackets understate what a full-paying family is billed. The "no aid" row is the published cost of attendance.

Which majors pay the most?

  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $59,253
  • Criminal Justice and Corrections N/A
  • Business Administration, Management and Operations $20,140
  • Communication and Media Studies $20,140
  • Public Health $26,037

Who attends Dillard University?

Dillard University enrolls 1,122 students, with 2% from outside the United States. Women make up 74% of the student body. Campus diversity enriches the educational experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Consider how you'll contribute to and benefit from the campus community when crafting your application.

Total Enrollment 1,122
Retention Rate 70%
International 2%
Women 74%
Race/Ethnicity
Black 89%
Hispanic 3%
White 1%
Asian 0%

How much financial aid is available?

96% of students receive some form of financial aid at Dillard University. About 68% receive Pell Grants, indicating support for low-income students. Apply for aid regardless of your family's income level—merit scholarships and institutional grants are available to students at various income levels. Never assume you won't qualify.

Receive Grants 96%
Avg: $17,021 free money/year
Pell Grant Recipients 68%
Federal aid for <$60k income families
Have Federal Loans 93%
Avg: $5,686
School's Own Grants 99%
Avg: $10,943 from school funds

How much do professors earn?

Faculty salaries at Dillard University are near the national average, reflecting the school's investment in attracting and retaining talented professors. Higher faculty compensation often correlates with stronger research programs, better student mentorship, and more resources for academic departments. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty through research, office hours, and smaller seminars.

This school National avg

Page updated 2026. Admissions and cost figures are the latest IPEDS release (2023); earnings are College Scorecard median 10-year post-enrollment, June 2026 release. Sources: IPEDS, College Scorecard.