McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA · Public · offers Graduate degrees
78%Acceptance rate
$12,493Average net price / year
47%Graduation rate
$46,453Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$23,000Median debt at graduation
5,005Undergraduates
Cost
- In-state tuition & fees
- $8,489
- Out-of-state tuition
- $9,989
- Total cost of attendance
- $22,810
- Room & board
- $10,644
- Books & supplies
- $1,353
- Average net price
- $12,493
Net price by family income
- $0–30k
- $10,482
- $30–48k
- $11,067
- $48–75k
- $11,640
- $75–110k
- $16,190
- $110k+
- $18,250
Admissions
- Acceptance rate
- 78.3%
- Average SAT
- 1087
- SAT reading (25–75%)
- 490–610
- SAT math (25–75%)
- 450–588
- ACT composite (25–75%)
- 18–23
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 47%
- First-year retention
- 68%
- Median earnings (6 yrs)
- $38,713
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $46,453
- Median debt (graduates)
- $23,000
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0.0%
- Students with Pell grants
- 35%
- Students with federal loans
- 32%
Programs: what graduates earn
31 of 69 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).
Associate's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 58 | $37,650 | $16,705 |
Bachelor's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | $40,244 | — |
Master's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 50 | $112,712 | $40,664 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 38 | $70,148 | — |
| Psychology, General | 17 | $57,570 | $35,378 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 17 | $49,184 | $30,128 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2 | $41,163 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 25 | $40,955 | $36,052 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | $47,981 | — |
Students
- Undergraduates
- 5,005
- Graduate students
- 607
- Part-time
- 10%
- Women / men
- 62% / 38%
- White
- 61%
- Hispanic
- 5%
- Black
- 19%
- Asian
- 2%
- International
- 7%
Faculty & school
- Student–faculty ratio
- 20:1
- Avg faculty salary
- $68,319 / year
- Full-time faculty
- 100%
- Accreditor
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Website
- www.mcneese.edu
- Also known as
- McNeese
Most popular fields
- Agriculture – 5% of degrees
- Education – 3% of degrees
- Engineering – 6% of degrees
- Liberal Arts & General Studies – 22% of degrees
- Biological Sciences – 4% of degrees
- Parks, Recreation & Fitness – 6% of degrees
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at McNeese State University?
78.3% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1087 on the SAT.
How much does McNeese State University cost?
The average net price after grants is $12,493 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $8,489 and the full cost of attendance is $22,810.
How much do McNeese State University graduates earn?
Students who enrolled earn a median of $46,453 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.
What is the graduation rate?
47% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.
Other colleges in Lake Charles
| College | Net price | Acceptance | Graduation | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LA · Public · 2,966 students |
$7,525 | — | 43% | $32,303 |
| Delta College West Lake Charles, LA · Private for-profit · 78 students |
$18,360 | — | 29% | — |
| Stage One-The Hair School Lake Charles, LA · Private for-profit · 66 students |
$11,916 | — | 72% | $17,390 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.