The University of New Orleans has been named one of the Top 50 Best Urban Colleges in America of 2025 by higher education ranking and resource website Intelligent.com. UNO, which is Louisiana’s only public urban research university, is ranked No. 14 on Intelligent’s list of top urban colleges. 

To compile the list, Intelligent looked at a number of factors, including size, location, academic delivery options, the admissions process and cost. Only institutions accredited by nationally recognized accrediting bodies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Higher Learning Commission were considered for inclusion in the rankings, with Intelligent saying, “Not only does accreditation confirm that a school offers a quality education and nationally-recognized degree programs, it also ensures that you can transfer your credits to another school if necessary.” 

According to the Intelligent.com higher education team, “Location can have a major impact on your college experience. While some students prefer the small-town feel of rural colleges, some favor the greater variety of museums, bars, restaurants, and cultural events available at urban schools. Students in urban areas may also have better access to professional opportunities such as jobs and internships.”

UNO also appeared in separate 2025 rankings for Best Online Bachelor’s in Philosophy Degree Programs, Best Online Master’s in Higher Education Degree Programs, Best Online Master’s in Hospitality Management Degree Programs, Best Master’s in Hospitality Management Degree Programs, Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management Degree Programs, Best Online Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs, Best Master’s in Taxation Degree Programs, and Best Online Master’s in English Degree Programs.

The University of New Orleans is a major research university in one of the world’s most fascinating cities. For more than 65 years, it has been one of the city’s foremost public resources, offering a diverse set of world-class, research-based programs, advancing shared knowledge and adding to the city’s industry, culture and economy. Since 1958, UNO has educated students from all 64 Louisiana parishes, all 50 states in the United States and more than 140 countries. Today UNO offers more than 40 undergraduate and pre-professional programs and more than 40 graduate programs.