Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business
New Orleans, LA · 2 years · Official Site
$57,720
2 years
Data reflects 2026 admissions cycle
“New Orleans charm meets energy industry substance. The Gulf Coast connection is the real draw.”
Program Overview
Tulane Freeman sits in New Orleans, which gives it direct access to the Gulf Coast energy industry. The school's energy finance concentration is its defining academic program, connecting students to oil and gas companies, energy traders, and the growing renewables sector along the Gulf. The 90-person class is small, and the Tulane experience is shaped as much by New Orleans' unique culture as by the curriculum.
Freeman also offers strong programs in entrepreneurship and general finance. The school's Burkenroad Reports program, where students write equity research on small and mid-cap companies, is one of the most respected student-run investment research programs in the country.
Is Tulane Business School Good? An Honest Answer
Yes, for the right person. Tulane's Freeman School is a good MBA program if your target is energy finance, Gulf Coast careers, or you value a small, social class in New Orleans. It is not a good fit if you want a national brand that opens doors in New York finance, West Coast tech, or top-tier consulting outside the energy sector. Freeman ranks around #47 nationally, places 88% of graduates within three months, and posts a median base salary near $128,000. Those are solid numbers for a regional program, below the M7 but respectable for the tuition.
The school's real edge is energy. New Orleans sits inside the Gulf Coast energy corridor, and Freeman's energy finance concentration plugs students directly into Shell, Chevron, Entergy, and the trading desks that run the region. The student-run Burkenroad Reports program, where MBAs publish equity research on small and mid-cap companies, is one of the most respected of its kind and carries weight in finance interviews.
| Metric | Tulane Freeman | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| US News rank | ~#47 | Solid regional, not national elite. |
| Acceptance rate | 42% | Accessible. A 680 GMAT is competitive. |
| Median base salary | $128,000 | Strong for the tier, below M7. |
| Employed at 3 months | 88% | Good, with energy as the main pipeline. |
| Class size | ~90 | Small and tight-knit. |
| Annual tuition | $57,720 | High for the rank; ROI hinges on energy/Gulf Coast goals. |
Where Freeman falls short: New Orleans is a small business market, so recruiting for most industries means traveling to Houston, Dallas, or Atlanta. Brand recognition outside energy and the Southeast is thin, and at $57,720 a year the cost is steep for a #47 program unless energy or Gulf Coast roles are your specific aim. If you want a national consulting or tech brand, look at Duke Fuqua or Emory Goizueta in the same region. For pure energy careers, Texas McCombs and Rice Jones are the main alternatives to weigh.
Culture & Community
Freeman's culture is shaped by New Orleans: social, warm, and culturally rich. Students describe the MBA experience as uniquely fun, with a social scene that no other program can match. The 90-person class bonds quickly, and the city's food, music, and festival culture create memories that last well beyond graduation.
Academics & Curriculum
Energy finance is the academic highlight, with courses on energy trading, project finance, and upstream/downstream economics. The Burkenroad Reports program provides hands-on equity research experience that's impressive on a resume. Entrepreneurship courses benefit from New Orleans' growing startup ecosystem.
Career Outcomes
Freeman's employment report shows 25% of graduates entering energy, 25% finance, 20% consulting, and 10% entrepreneurship. Shell, Chevron, Entergy, and Gulf Coast energy companies are primary recruiters. Median base salary is $128,000 with total first-year compensation around $150,000. Energy roles in Houston and the Gulf Coast are the school's strongest pipeline.
Who Should Apply
Energy professionals and finance candidates targeting the Gulf Coast energy corridor will find Freeman's connections directly valuable. If the New Orleans lifestyle appeals to you and your career goals align with energy or entrepreneurship, Freeman offers a unique combination that no other MBA program replicates.
What to Watch Out For
New Orleans is a wonderful city but a small business market. Recruiting requires travel to Houston, Dallas, or Atlanta for most industries. The $57,720 tuition is high for a school ranked #47, which strains the ROI unless energy or Gulf Coast careers are your specific target. Brand recognition outside energy circles and the Southeast is limited.
Known For
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Get GMAT Prep Resources →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Tulane Freeman?
Tulane Freeman's acceptance rate is approximately 42% for the class of 2026. The school enrolls about 90 full-time MBA students.
Is Tulane Freeman good for energy careers?
Freeman is one of the top 5 MBA programs for energy careers, alongside Rice Jones, Texas McCombs, and schools in the Gulf Coast corridor. Energy finance, trading, and project finance courses connect students to the region's energy ecosystem.
What is the average salary after Tulane Freeman?
Freeman graduates earn a median base salary of $128,000 with total first-year compensation averaging about $150,000. Energy and finance roles drive the strongest placement.
Is Tulane business school good?
Tulane Freeman is a good MBA program for energy finance, Gulf Coast careers, and applicants who want a small, social class in New Orleans. It ranks around #47, places 88% of graduates within three months, and posts a $128,000 median base salary. It is a weaker choice if you want a national brand for New York finance, West Coast tech, or elite consulting outside energy.
Is Tulane Freeman worth the cost?
At $57,720 per year, Freeman is expensive for its #47 rank. The ROI works if you target energy or Gulf Coast roles where its Shell, Chevron, and Entergy pipelines pay off. For a generalist targeting national consulting or tech, a higher-ranked regional program like Duke Fuqua or Emory Goizueta usually delivers a better return.
What is Tulane Freeman known for?
Energy finance. New Orleans sits in the Gulf Coast energy corridor, and Freeman's energy concentration connects students to oil, gas, trading, and renewables employers. The student-run Burkenroad Reports equity research program is also a signature strength that carries weight in finance recruiting.
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Tulane Freeman Deep Dives
Compare Tulane Freeman side by side with every Class of 2026 on the Class of 2026 Profile Hub. Sortable table with GMAT, class size, work experience, and salary across the top 50 programs.