Tulane University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
Paying for a private school like Tulane can feel overwhelming at first glance, especially for families who are the first to go through the process. This guide breaks down the real costs, scholarships, and programs in plain English so you’ll know what Tulane might actually cost your student. Don’t forget to also check Louisiana’s state aid options alongside the scholarships listed here.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Tulane University
Expense | Cost (Annual) |
---|---|
Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $71,998 |
Housing (Standard Double) | $11,190 |
Meal Plan (minimum required) | $8,440 |
Books & Supplies | $700 |
Travel & Personal | Variable |
Total (before aid) | $92,328+ |
Average Net Price (What families actually paid after grants/scholarships — no loans):
$50,631 for full-time, first-time undergraduates in 2022–2023 (latest federal year reported).
- This is the typical amount after Tulane and government grants/scholarships are applied — it’s lower than the sticker price.
- Actual net price varies by family income/assets and academic profile. For a personalized estimate, try Tulane’s Net Price Calculator.
- Some scholarships and need-based aid consider the CSS Profile (in addition to the FAFSA).
Source: Federal IPEDS/NCES average net price (2022–2023). Figures update annually.
Who qualifies for lower tuition at Tulane?
Everyone pays the same tuition since Tulane is a private university. Louisiana residents may add state aid on top, but out-of-state students do not pay more.
How much do most families actually pay?
The average family paid well under the $92k sticker price once scholarships and need-based aid were factored in. This is captured in the federal net price figure above.
Is applying for aid automatic?
No — to be considered for need-based aid and some competitive scholarships, you must file the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. We’ve got a plain-English guide to the CSS Profile here.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Tulane automatically considers every applicant for partial merit scholarships when they apply through the Common App. Awards can be substantial, but the exact amount depends on GPA, test scores (if submitted), rigor, and overall strength of the application.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Tulane automatically considers every applicant for partial merit scholarships when they apply through the Common App. Awards can be substantial, but the exact amount depends on GPA, test scores (if submitted), rigor, and overall strength of the application.
Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Admission-Based Merit Scholarship | Up to $32,000/year | All applicants considered with Common App; factors include GPA, rigor, test scores (optional), and overall profile. | No | Yes — typically 4 years; must maintain satisfactory GPA and credit load. | Students with strong grades (often A– average or better), challenging coursework, and a well-rounded application. Exact GPA/test cutoffs are not published. |
Note: GPA/test ranges above are holistic. Tulane does not publish fixed automatic-merit grids, so awards vary by applicant profile.
Also worth noting: Tulane sponsors National Merit Scholarships. Finalists who name Tulane as their first-choice school receive at least $2,000/year, which can be combined with other Tulane merit awards.
Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No — all students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. The Common App plus required financial aid forms (FAFSA and sometimes the CSS Profile) are all you need.
Does Tulane superscore test results?
Yes. Tulane will consider your best subscores across ACT or SAT test dates when you choose to submit them.
Can these stack with other aid?
Partial merit usually stacks with need-based aid, and National Merit awards can be added on top. But flagship-level scholarships (like Stamps or Dean’s Honor) replace other tuition awards.
Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Admission-Based Merit Scholarship | Up to $32,000/year | All applicants considered with Common App; factors include GPA, rigor, test scores (optional), and overall profile. | No | Yes — typically 4 years; must maintain satisfactory GPA and credit load. | Students with strong grades (often A– average or better), challenging coursework, and a well-rounded application. Exact GPA/test cutoffs are not published. |
Note: GPA/test ranges above are holistic. Tulane does not publish fixed automatic-merit grids, so awards vary by applicant profile.
Also worth noting: Tulane is a Stamps Scholarship partner. While Stamps itself is highly competitive and not automatic, all applicants are considered for partial admission-based merit.
Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No — all students are automatically considered when they apply for admission. The Common App plus required financial aid forms (FAFSA and sometimes the CSS Profile) are all you need.
Does Tulane superscore test results?
Yes. Tulane will consider your best subscores across ACT or SAT test dates when you choose to submit them.
Can these stack with other aid?
Partial merit usually stacks with need-based aid but may not stack with full-tuition or full-ride awards (like Stamps or Dean’s Honor). Always check the award letter for stacking rules.
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
These are Tulane’s most competitive, flagship-level scholarships. They go well beyond the automatic merit awards and typically cover full tuition or even the full cost of attendance. Only a small number of students are selected each year, and most are invited to submit extra materials or participate in interviews.
Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stamps Scholarship | Full cost of attendance + enrichment fund | All applicants considered; semifinalists invited to submit supplements; ~5 awards each year | No (semifinalists submit extra materials via Green Wave Portal) | Yes — 4 years if GPA/standing maintained | National-caliber students with exceptional academics, leadership, and service; finalists often interview |
Dean’s Honor Scholarship (DHS) | Full tuition | Exceptional academics + leadership; all applicants considered, optional creative supplement | No (optional supplement can strengthen candidacy) | Yes — 4 years if GPA/standing maintained | Students with top GPAs (often 3.7+ unweighted*) and strong rigor; many have 33+ ACT / 1500+ SAT* |
Community Service Fellowship | Cohort program; some fellows elevated to full-tuition Sotomayor Public Service Scholarship | Applicants with sustained, high-impact service and leadership | Yes — service résumé via Green Wave Portal | Yes — must remain active in service programming | Students with extensive service leadership and clear community impact |
Louisiana Excellence Award | Full tuition (Louisiana residents) | Louisiana high school graduates with strong academics | No | Yes — 4 years if GPA/standing maintained | Top Louisiana applicants with outstanding records |
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipient profiles; Tulane does not publish fixed cutoffs.
Note: Tulane is an official Stamps Scholarship partner and a QuestBridge National College Match partner. QuestBridge Finalists matched with Tulane receive a full cost-of-attendance package — effectively a full-ride.
What makes these “flagship” scholarships different?
They are highly competitive and usually cover full tuition or the full cost of attendance. Unlike automatic awards, they often require interviews, service résumés, or creative supplements.
How many students win?
Very few. For example, only about five Stamps Scholars are named each year, while a small group earn the Dean’s Honor Scholarship, Community Service Fellowship, or Louisiana Excellence Award.
Do I need to submit test scores?
No, Tulane is test-optional. But historically, many flagship winners had top ACT/SAT scores alongside high GPAs and rigorous coursework.
Do these replace other scholarships?
Yes. Flagship awards like Stamps, DHS, or a QuestBridge Match generally replace partial merit. They do not stack with other full-tuition awards.
⭐ College Specialty
Tulane is more than just a well-regarded private university in New Orleans — it’s a nationally recognized R1 research institution and one of the few schools where community service is built into the core curriculum. Families looking for standout academic opportunities will find Tulane’s programs consistently ranked among the best in the country, especially in health sciences and public service.
Signature Strength: Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is the oldest in the United States and regularly ranked among the top public health schools nationally. It is especially known for global health and disaster response research.
- Law School: Tulane Law is consistently recognized as a top program in environmental law and maritime/admiralty law (U.S. News, 2024).
- Biomedical Engineering: Tulane’s program is nationally noted for research opportunities connected to its School of Medicine and New Orleans’ health district.
- Environmental Studies & Coastal Research: Leveraging Louisiana’s unique ecosystem, Tulane has national recognition for coastal restoration and environmental science research.
- Business: The Freeman School of Business is widely respected in the South for entrepreneurship and energy-related programs.
🎖️ Honors College
Tulane doesn’t have a standalone Honors College, but it does offer the First-Year Honors Scholars Program through Newcomb-Tulane College. This program is designed for students who show high academic promise and curiosity. It’s invite-only at the time of admission, though admitted Honors Scholars can later opt into the Honors Scholar Society for a deeper cohort experience.
What a Typical Tulane Honors Student Looks Like:
Often carries a rigorous high school curriculum, strong leadership or service experience, and a GPA in the A– range or higher. Many successful candidates also submit top test scores (ACT 33+ / SAT 1500+) if they choose to send scores, though Tulane remains test-optional.
Perks for Honors Scholars:
- Two linked fall courses (4.5 credits) with other Honors Scholars
- Small-group seminars and faculty mentoring
- Priority access to intellectual and cultural events across New Orleans
- Connection to top research and fellowship opportunities later in undergrad
Is admission automatic?
No. Honors is by invitation at the time of admission; selected students are notified in their acceptance packet.
Does Honors add time to a degree?
No — the program is built into the normal course load. The two Honors-linked courses count toward the standard 15–16 credit first-year schedule.
Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors?
Not directly. Most top scholarship winners (Stamps, DHS, etc.) are also in Honors, but the Honors designation itself does not come with extra funding.
When do students apply or opt in?
Admitted Honors Scholars can later apply to the Honors Scholar Society (April 1–15) for more formalized cohort programming.
📎 Official Links
- Tulane University — Homepage
- First-Year Honors Scholars Program
- Merit Scholarships — Tulane Admission
- Tulane Office of Financial Aid
Final Thoughts
For families considering Tulane, the sticker price can look intimidating — but the reality is much more nuanced. Between automatic merit, flagship full-tuition awards, hidden gems like ROTC and artistic scholarships, and programs like Louisiana Promise, there are real ways to bring the cost down. Tulane’s strengths in public health, research, and service also mean that students graduate with more than just a degree: they leave with a resume full of experiences that matter. If your student is a strong fit academically and personally, Tulane can be both an affordable and transformative choice.
✅ Last updated: September 24, 2025