What is Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA)?

Xavier University of Louisiana (xula.edu) is a private, coeducational, liberal arts-based university in Louisiana, and it is the only historically Black Catholic university in the United States. It offers 40 undergraduate majors, five master's degree programs, and a doctor of pharmacy program. It's a fit for students looking for a close-knit, rigorous education with a strong record in STEM and health sciences, particularly those interested in medicine or pharmacy.

What makes XULA distinctive

• Only historically Black Catholic university in the U.S. — a dual identity that shapes its mission and community.
• Liberal arts foundation — academics are grounded in the arts and sciences, with 40 undergraduate majors.
• STEM and health sciences strength — the university describes itself as a national leader in STEM and health sciences, and a leader in educating African American students who go on to graduate from medical school.
• Pharmacy pipeline — its College of Pharmacy is among the country's top producers of African American pharmacists.

Academic programs

The site also references 70+ majors in the arts and sciences in its "By the Numbers" section and "over 50 majors" in its admissions call-to-action, so program counts vary by page. For a specific major, use the "Find a Program" tool on the site.

Who studies there

• Total enrollment: more than 3,100 students.
• More than half come from Louisiana.
• Students are drawn from nearly all fifty states and 35 countries.

Student experience and outcomes

• 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio — supports the "close-knit and supportive yet challenging and rigorous" experience the university describes.
• Rankings and recognition — XULA states it is ranked among the top HBCUs nationwide and has been recognized among top HBCUs and national universities in U.S. News rankings and by Forbes.
• New medical school — the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine has earned preliminary accreditation, according to the site's news section.

Admissions paths

The admissions section lists these applicant categories:

• First-time first-year undergraduate
• International
• Transient students
• Re-admission
• High school students
• Pharmacy students
• Graduate program

Next steps

If you're evaluating XULA, start with the program finder to confirm your intended major or graduate program exists, then check the admissions page for the applicant category that matches you. The site's main calls to action are Visit, Apply, and Find a Program — visiting is the most direct way to judge whether the community and campus fit you.