McNeese State University
#3 Best Bachelor's Programs in Louisiana- Graduation Rate
- 49% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,453 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,493 B-
- 27% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Bachelor's Programs in Louisiana.
Every $1 spent returns $23.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,113,120.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Social mobility rate of 2.56% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why McNeese State University Matters
McNeese State University is a public university in Lake Charles, LA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,005
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Engineering
Why students choose McNeese State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 940–1198. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,493 a year after grants and scholarships — 27% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,453 ten years after enrolling — 14% above the typical college, against $23,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 16% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.34 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 5,005 students and an acceptance rate of 78%, McNeese State University is a solid choice for those looking for a welcoming environment where they can explore their interests in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Engineering. The university stands out for its commitment to providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for various career paths. Whether you're drawn to psychology or the humanities, there's a good chance you'll find a program that fits your aspirations.
After graduation, the average earnings for McNeese alumni are $46,453 after ten years. This is a solid figure that reflects the university’s ability to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. While the graduation rate is 49%, many students find their footing after starting, and the affordability of the education, with a net price of $12,493, makes it accessible for a wide range of families. It’s important to consider how this financial commitment translates into future opportunities.
On the financial side, students typically graduate with a median debt of $23,000. This debt load is manageable, especially when considering the potential earnings graduates can achieve. McNeese tends to attract students who are motivated and eager to make the most of their educational experience, often thriving in this supportive community. With 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, it’s evident that there’s a strong commitment to helping those who need it most.
Rankings
- #3 Best Bachelor's Programs in Louisiana
- #3 Best Master's Programs in Louisiana
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in Louisiana
- #4 Best Colleges in Louisiana
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Louisiana
- #5 Best Business Colleges in Louisiana
- #6 Best Psychology Colleges in Louisiana
- #7 Best Biology Colleges in Louisiana
Can I Get In?
How selective McNeese State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into McNeese State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,087. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- SAT Average
- 1087
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 940–1198
- ACT Range
- 18–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,591
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 3,554
- Admitted
- 2,532
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend McNeese State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at McNeese State University is $9,989, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,493. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,482 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,489
- Out-of-State
- $9,989
- Avg Net Price
- $12,493
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,482
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,067
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,640
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,250
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is McNeese State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of McNeese State University earn a median of $46,453, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,713
- 8 Years
- $41,254
- 10 Years
- $46,453
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (280)
- 23%
- 100% (280)
- 23%
- 100% (280)
- 23%
- 100% (280)
- 23%
How McNeese Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is McNeese State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, McNeese State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,493/year ($49,972 total). Graduates earn $46,453 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,163,092 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,113,120 (23.3× your investment). The median debt is $23,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 49% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,972
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,163,092
- Net Return
- $1,113,120
- ROI Multiple
- 23.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,493
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does McNeese State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
McNeese State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.56%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.56%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $75,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,364,953
- Investment Income
- $-4,865,019
Top Programs
The fields McNeese State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 20%
- Humanities 17%
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Engineering 7%
- Psychology 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Social Sciences 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for McNeese State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into McNeese State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,087. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend McNeese State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at McNeese State University is $9,989, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,493. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,482 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
Is McNeese State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of McNeese State University earn a median of $46,453, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does McNeese State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
McNeese State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.56%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is McNeese State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at McNeese State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.34, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to McNeese State University.
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe, LA · Close peer52% grad $46,769 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer48% grad $45,344 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Close peer34% grad $45,872 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Nicholls State UniversityThibodaux, LA · Close peer54% grad $45,454 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · Close peer49% grad $48,472 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is McNeese State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at McNeese State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.34, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note