Academics
Dillard University is a private liberal arts college with an emphasis on ethics, resilience, and collective action. It uses these tools to equip the leaders, thinkers, and artists of the future with the skills to turn ideals into actionable, transformative strategies. The school’s nimble size of roughly 1,200 enrollees, student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, and average class size of 18 helps to ensure first-hand support for all students. Additional focus comes from its 22 majors, which range from the humanities to physical sciences, as well as specific certificate programs in geosciences and urban water management, and a core education that features courses examining the African diaspora. Dillard offers students myriad ways to leverage their undergraduate education into action. Students in the College of Nursing can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and have the opportunity for experience and mentorship in medical settings. The Center for Racial Justice unites law enforcement officers with local communities to bring about systemic change to policing in communities of color. As a member of the Melton Foundation, Dillard students have access to global citizenship fellowships offering international internship and research opportunities.
Career
Dillard’s 48-acre campus is a vivid blend of the past and present, with expansive, natural green glades and shady oak trees set against the bustling city of New Orleans. Students, affectionately known as Bleu Devils, make the most of both aspects of the school, and Dillard’s modern student government and classic royal court offer opportunities for students
Culture
Degree recipients from Dillard’s marquee programs succeed after graduation. In 2021, graduates from the College of Nursing enjoyed a 100% pass rate on their Louisiana state licensing exams, and the Pre-Law Program saw 93% of its students accepted into law school. The Center for Racial Justice further prepares students for professions in social services, law enforcement, business, and education. Alumni of the internationally known physics program go on to distinguished careers in interdisciplinary research and material science, as well as biomedical and optics engineering. Well-known Bleu Devils include Jericho Brown, the 2020 recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry; Vince Hudson, an executive vice president at Black Entertainment Television; and Dr. Beverly Jacques Anderson, a professor emeritus at the National Academy of Sciences. Payscale.com reports that Dillard graduates make an average base salary of $64,000 a year.