The only historically Black Catholic university in the US, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel in 1925.
Xavier offers undergraduate and graduate programs through the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Pharmacy. The university is nationally recognized for its pre-medical and biological science programs, consistently ranking among the top three colleges in the nation for graduating African Americans with Pharm.D. degrees. Xavier also offers a dual-degree engineering program in partnership with nine institutions including Tulane, LSU, Georgia Tech, and Notre Dame. The Institute for Black Catholic Studies, founded in 1979, offers a Master of Theology degree and summer continuing education programs.
The main campus occupies a Gothic Revival-style complex on Palmetto and Pine Streets, with the Main Administration Building (completed 1932) listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion, opened in 2010, added 60,000 square feet to the College of Pharmacy. Xavier's student body is approximately 75% women and 75% African American, with 43.8% from Louisiana and students from at least 40 other states and 16 foreign countries. The university recovered from Hurricane Katrina (2005) with significant support and was evacuated during Hurricane Ida (2021).
Xavier accepts applications for first-time first-year, transfer, international, and graduate students. An enrollment deposit of $150 is required (non-refundable after May 1 for fall term, December 1 for spring term). The university offers test-optional admissions and requires submission of official high school transcripts by July 1. ACCUPLACER placement testing is required for students without official ACT/SAT scores.
Xavier graduates consistently place into medical school at high rates and lead in producing African American physicians and pharmacists. The university received the 'Katrina Compassion Award' from the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2006. Notable recent achievements include 13 Gilman Scholars (2026) and the first Udall Scholar. Xavier is ranked 17th regionally (South) by U.S. News & World Report and 114th nationally by Washington Monthly for master's programs.