Founded in 1915 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier University of Louisiana is the nation's only Catholic historically Black university (HBCU). Spanning an attractive 60-acre campus in the Gert Town neighborhood of New Orleans featuring green limestone Gothic architecture, XULA is globally celebrated for producing more African American graduates who complete medical school and earn Ph.D. degrees in the health sciences than any other college in America. You can examine its founding charter, Catholic heritage, and urban history through the Xavier University of Louisiana Wikipedia historical entry.
When you study at XULA, you enter a values-centered academic institution focused on academic rigor, social justice, and leadership development. Living in New Orleans places you inside a culturally rich city surrounded by teaching hospitals, bio-labs, and historical museums.
Premier Academic Programs
XULA organizes its instruction across specialized divisions holding national reputations for STEM and health excellence:
- College of Pharmacy: Consistently ranks among the top national producers of African American Doctor of Pharmacy graduates in the nation.
- Division of Business: AACSB-accredited program specializing in accounting, corporate finance, sales leadership, and management analytics. Explore degree options on the XULA Division of Business portal.
- Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences: Global leader in undergraduate chemistry, physics, and pre-medical science instruction.
- Division of Biological and Public Health Sciences: Delivers hands-on research training in microbiology, molecular genetics, and public health.
- Division of Education and Counseling: Prepares compassionate educators, school counselors, and educational leadership specialists.
"Deo Adjuvante Non Timendum, translated from Latin as With God's Help, There Is Nothing to Fear, serves as XULA's official motto."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel, the University Center, and Gold Field quadrangle. School spirit revolves around Goldie the Gold Rush, the energetic mascot representing XULA Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets athletic teams in NAIA Red River Athletic Conference sports. You can read about spirit traditions and athletic programs on the official XULA Athletics portal. Attending Homecoming step shows, cheering inside the Convocation Center for basketball games, and joining over 80 student clubs creates a close-knit campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Cancer Health Disparities
XULA operates an active research framework focused on health equity, drug discovery, and environmental health:
- Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education (CMHDRE): High-impact institute investigating diabetes, hypertension, and cancer disparities in minority populations.
- Xavier Cancer Research Program: Specialized biomedical research facility developing novel natural product therapeutics to treat aggressive cancers. Learn more via XULA Research Operations.
- Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI): NIH-funded program supporting faculty research in nanomedicine and environmental toxicology.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Surgeons General, mayors, civil rights icons, and corporate leaders, including:
- Alexis Herman: 23rd U.S. Secretary of Labor and first African American to hold the position, who earned her degree at XULA.
- Ernest "Dutch" Morial: First African American Mayor of New Orleans and civil rights pioneer who earned his undergraduate degree at XULA.
- Regina Benjamin: 18th Surgeon General of the United States who completed her pre-medical undergraduate training at XULA.
- Norman Francis: Longest-tenured university president in U.S. history and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient who graduated from XULA.
XULA provides generous merit scholarship coverage and need-based financial aid for admitted domestic and international students. Review full admission standards on the official XULA Admissions portal.