Since its founding, University of New Orleans has been committed to diversity and inclusion. In 1958, it opened its doors as the first fully integrated public university in the South. The University grants baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees in academic colleges, business administration, education and human development, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences, as well as interdisciplinary studies. As a global community asset, it offers a wide array of relevant, undergraduate and graduate academic programs and world class research opportunities.

New Orleans offers a variety of world class, research based programs, advancing shared knowledge and adding to the region's industry, culture and economy. The College of Business Administration boasts an accounting program that puts it among the top three per cent of programs in the world. College of Engineering offers the only electrical, mechanical and civil engineering programs in the New Orleans area and the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering is one of only several in the nation. The Computer Science Department provides the students with real world software development work experience to supplement their academic curriculum. The College of Liberal Arts, Education and Human Development offers students a robust preparation in the arts and in educator and counsellor training.

Located on the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, only 15 minutes from the French Quarter, UNO occupies a 195-acre campus in one of the finest residential areas of the city.