Your Guide to Tulane University: Campus Life, Academics, and New Orleans

Tulane University, situated in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, offers a unique and enriching experience for its students. From its beautiful, tree-lined Uptown campus to its Downtown and Riverfront locations, Tulane provides a diverse environment for academic pursuits, personal growth, and community engagement. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of Tulane's campuses, student life, academic programs, and the unique opportunities that New Orleans offers.

Discovering Tulane's Campuses

Tulane University boasts several campuses, each with its own distinct character and focus:

Uptown Campus: The Heart of Undergraduate Life

The Uptown campus serves as the hub for undergraduate residential life and houses several schools and colleges, including Newcomb-Tulane College, the School of Law, and the A. B. Freeman School of Business. This campus is known for its picturesque setting, nestled among historic oak trees and adjacent to Audubon Park along St. Charles Avenue. Conveniently located on the St. Charles streetcar line, the Uptown campus provides easy access to other parts of the city.

Downtown Campus: A Center for Social Work, Medicine, and Public Health

Located in the heart of New Orleans' Central Business District, the Downtown campus is home to the School of Social Work, the School of Medicine, and the School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine. Its location places it near the historic French Quarter, offering students a dynamic urban environment.

Riverfront Campus: Addressing Coastal Challenges

The Riverfront campus houses the ByWater Institute, where scholars from various disciplines collaborate to develop innovative solutions for managing the threats posed by rising water due to coastal erosion, natural disasters, and environmental changes.

Read also: Gibson Hall History

Tulane National Primate Research Center

Located in Covington, Louisiana, the Tulane National Primate Research Center is one of seven federally funded national primate research centers.

Campus Life: A Home Away From Home

Tulane strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for its students.

Residential Life

Tulane’s beautiful, tree-lined campus will feel like home in no time. Students have the option of living in residential colleges with others who share their interests or choosing a more traditional dorm experience.

Dining Options

With over 25 dining locations on campus, students are always close to a wide variety of meals and snacks. The Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life and The Commons is a focal point for campus life with comfortable study spaces, multiple dining options, a bookstore and other retail shops.

Recreation and Wellness

The Reily Student Recreation Center, Tulane’s on-campus gym, is a great place to unwind after a long day by swimming, taking an exercise class, or running laps around the indoor track.

Read also: Famous Figures from Tulane

Student Organizations and Activities

With more than 200 student organizations, including 24 fraternities and sororities, and a wide variety of collegiate and intramural athletics teams, students have many ways to get involved on campus. There are a number of entertaining theatrical performances, concerts and speakers on campus throughout the year. Tulane students are never at a loss for activities, either behind the scenes, onstage or in the audience.

Health and Support Services

Tulane prioritizes student health and well-being. The on-campus clinic, pharmacy, and counseling staff provide primary and preventive healthcare, health promotion programs, and referral coordination. Student Resources and Support Services is available to help students navigate any challenges they may face, offering services such as student conduct, case management, and victim support. The Goldman Center for Student Accessibility provides accommodations and support for students with disabilities, ensuring equal access and a friendly environment for all.

Academic Exploration and Opportunities

Tulane offers a wide range of academic programs and resources to support student success.

Academic Calendar

As you plan your visit, you may wish to review the university academic calendar which includes dates for holidays and breaks when students are less likely to be on campus.

Arts and Architecture

We are happy to provide tours of our performing/visual arts and architecture facilities.

Engineering

We are happy to provide tours of our engineering spaces (Paul Hall, Flower Hall, and the Ackerman Makerspace), led by a Tulane faculty member and current Tulane student.

Experiencing New Orleans: A City Like No Other

New Orleans is an integral part of the Tulane experience.

A Cultural Hub

Only in New Orleans, you can experience a vibrant music scene, world-class restaurants, a rich confluence of cultures and traditions, and the opportunity to make a difference in a unique urban culture. This city is defined by its distinct museums, live music venues on nearly every corner, hundreds of art galleries, and thousands of restaurants. The city hosts festivals celebrating nearly every local food, music, or heritage. Some of the most famous festivals include the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, and Mardi Gras.

Sports and Recreation

For professional sports fans, watching the Saints at the Superdome or checking out the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center is a fantastic time. New Orleans also frequently hosts major sporting events, including the 2025 Super Bowl (and ten others before that--3 on Tulane's campus). Louisiana's nickname is "Sportsman's Paradise", which means there are plenty of fun opportunities for students who like the outdoors. Audubon Park, one of the most beautiful city parks in the country, also happens to be right across the street from Tulane's campus. With a par 62 golf course, several athletic fields, and ambling trails, the park is always alive with activity. In a city where the temperature rarely goes below 50°F, Tulane students are almost always able to spend their free time active and outdoors.

Community Engagement

New Orleans is an endless provider for Tulane students, and it is only natural that students give back to the city on a regular basis. Contributing to New Orleans is part of the fabric of our institution, and students have been involved in nearly every aspect of New Orleans' renaissance.

Visiting Tulane: Planning Your Trip

Tours begin with a brief information session in the admission office, located in 210 Gibson Hall at 6823 St. Charles Avenue, in the Uptown area of New Orleans.

Campus Tours

Sign up for a campus tour. All tours begin with a 30-minute information session given by an admission counselor. The following student-led campus tour typically lasts 90 minutes. You can view all available dates and times and schedule your campus tour by using our online reservation system.

Special Programs

We offer several on-campus admission programs, in addition to our daily campus tours and information sessions, that give you an in-depth look at life at Tulane.

Tulane Receptions

Meet Tulane admission counselors when they come to you!

Large Group Tours

Visit our Large Group Tours registration page for more information.

Arts or Architecture Facility Tours

Visit our Arts or Architecture Facility Tours registration page for more information.

Engineering Tours

Visit our engineering tours registration page for more information.

Pathfinder Real Talk

Real Talk is a signature part of the Pathfinders program, a student-led space designed to foster honest, unfiltered conversations about life at Tulane. In these small group sessions, prospective and admitted students can ask current students candid questions and gain a unique prospective from genuine dialogue. From navigating campus culture and social life to balancing academics and well-being, no topic is off-limits. Pathfinders are encouraged to answer with openness, empathy, and authenticity, creating a space where real experiences lead to real connection. These conversations often become the most memorable and impactful part of a student’s visit, offering a glimpse into the realities of college life that can’t be found in brochures or presentations.

Questions and Interviews

Tulane does not offer interviews with admission counselors as part of the application process; however, we are always happy to answer your questions and share our advice.

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