Louisiana's oldest HBCU, blending liberal arts excellence with deep community roots since 1930.
Dillard University offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees across over 35 majors organized within four academic colleges. The university emphasizes undergraduate research through membership in the Council of Undergraduate Research and the National Council of Undergraduate Research, with most departments offering methodology courses and workshops on proposal writing and data analysis. The Institute of Jazz Culture, established in 2002, produces curriculum and programming at collegiate and secondary levels. Dual degree programs are available with institutions including Louisiana State University, Tulane University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Columbia University.
The 55-acre campus, designed by architect Moïse H. Goldstein, is anchored by neoclassical architecture and live oak trees, with the double tree-lined Avenue of the Oaks forming the focal point. On-campus housing includes Camphor Hall, Hartzell Hall, Straight Hall, Williams Hall, and Gentilly Gardens apartment-style housing. Kearny Hall serves as the student center with lounge, post office, and cafeteria. Athletic facilities include Dent Hall (gymnasium and home to basketball and volleyball teams) and Henson Hall (former gymnasium). The Will W. Alexander Library houses extensive collections and historical documents of the American Missionary Association.
Dillard University welcomes applications through its standard admissions process. The university offers SOAR student orientation and provides comprehensive financial aid information. Prospective students can visit campus and explore academic programs through the official website. Pre-health and pre-law programs are available for students pursuing advanced degrees in those fields.
Dillard University was chartered on June 6, 1930, merging Straight College (founded 1868) and New Orleans University (founded 1868) to create a comprehensive liberal arts institution. The university recovered from extensive Hurricane Katrina damage in 2005 and reopened to students in September 2006. Recent major gifts include $5 million from MacKenzie Scott in 2020 and $19 million in 2025—the largest single gift in Dillard's history. The Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture, endowed through Ray Charles's will in 2003, is the first such professorship in the nation.