Xavier Ochsner Opens Medical School Applications
The new College of Medicine in New Orleans's BioDistrict is accepting applications for its inaugural class, which is scheduled to begin studies in 2027.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Scholarships
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The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine opened applications for its inaugural class, with students applying through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The college was established in 2024 through a partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health.
Why it matters
The college aims to expand physician training opportunities and address healthcare workforce shortages in Louisiana and nationally. It will be the only historically Black college or university medical school in the Gulf South and the fifth such institution nationwide.
The college will be the fifth historically Black medical institution nationwide and the only such school in the Gulf South. Projections estimate $152 million in statewide economic impact and 1,185 supported jobs across Louisiana by 2040.
The players
Xavier University of Louisiana
A historically Black university in New Orleans that partnered with Ochsner Health to establish the medical college.
Ochsner Health
A Louisiana-based health system that co-founded the college and offers physician scholarship funding tied to post-graduation service.
The details
Prospective students apply through AMCAS, and the curriculum combines classroom instruction with clinical and community-based experiences starting in the first year. The Ochsner Physician Scholars program offers financial assistance in exchange for a commitment to work for Ochsner after graduation, and additional scholarships are available through a partnership with Humana.
Timeline
2024: College established through the Xavier-Ochsner partnership.
- 2026-11-03
Applications opened for the inaugural class.
2027: Inaugural class scheduled to begin studies.
2038: HRSA projects a physician shortage of 141,000.
2040: Projected economic impact milestones for Louisiana and New Orleans.
Roadmap
The college extends a lineage of historically Black medical education that dates to institutions like Meharry Medical College, founded in 1868. It adds a Gulf South presence to a national network that remains small relative to the projected physician shortage.
Louisiana residents could see expanded physician training pipelines as the college graduates doctors into a region facing workforce shortages. Scholarship programs tied to Ochsner service commitments may shape where graduates practice after training.
The takeaway
Students interested in medicine in the Gulf South now have a new path through a historically Black institution. Prospective applicants should review AMCAS requirements and scholarship options early in the process.
What happens next
The inaugural class is scheduled to begin studies in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Scholarships for medical students in the New Orleans area.
More information
Find admissions details on the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine admissions information page.
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