Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
McNeese State University is a public regional university located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. McNeese State University is moderately inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at McNeese State University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $42,965 10 years after enrolling, 11th in Louisiana, and in the bottom 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, McNeese State University bachelor students earn 6% less than the national average. McNeese State University is ranked 4th in Louisiana.
McNeese State University’s median net annual cost of $10,759 and average years to graduate of 5 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at McNeese State University sorted by number of graduates - Liberal Arts and Sciences, Registered Nursing, Business Administration, Engineering, Health & Fitness, Psychology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$10,759
Average years to graduate
5
Computer Science
Rank: #125
Economic score: 1.62
Medical Allied Professions
Rank: #48
Economic score: 2.49
Accounting
Rank: #367
Economic score: 3.3
Education
Rank: #61
Economic score: 3.69
Diagnostic, Intervention & Treatment
Rank: #87
Economic score: 3.84
Finance
Rank: #305
Economic score: 4.39
Criminal Justice
Rank: #196
Economic score: 4.72
Marketing
Rank: #306
Economic score: 5.64
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #271
Economic score: 5.99
Sociology
Rank: #279
Economic score: 9.85
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at McNeese State University - Registered Nursing, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Health & Fitness, Education - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Chemistry
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.49
Educ. Administration
Rank: #347
Economic score: 0.86
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 5 years. 51% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at McNeese State University is 3% lower than the state average, and 6% below the average for all regional universities in the country.
At McNeese State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 31% of the measured graduating class, 4% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at McNeese State University graduates within 5.1 years.
McNeese State University is in the bottom 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
McNeese State University’s economic mobility score of 20.46 is calculated by adjusting the 2.69 economic score of lower-income students by the 31% pell grant recipients within the student body. McNeese State University’s EMS of 20.46 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at McNeese State University pays $10,759 a year, $12,245 less than the $23,004 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $10,759
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At McNeese State University, 94% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $10,759 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 30% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $5,041. This is 24% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,643
Pell grants
$4,844
State grants
$4,921
Institutional grants
$4,650
McNeese State University offers 7 online bachelor programs, all of which are held exclusively online. At the master’s level McNeese State University offers 12 programs, all of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
19
Percentage of programs online
38%
McNeese State University's moderately inclusive admissions are indicated by their 69% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 2,599 applicants, of which 1,787 were admitted and 1,020 enrolled. McNeese State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
91%
83%
Female
64%
59%
First time
70%
59%
In-state
88%
68%
1st generation
38%
35%
White
68%
52%
Black
17%
14%
Hispanic
4%
15%
Asian
1%
5%
American Indian
1%
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
10%
12%