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Public, 4-Year
Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in LA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$8,460

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

67.5%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

49.4%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$46,453

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

McNeese State University is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Lake Charles, LA. With a competitive tuition profile of $8,460, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 49.4% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Admissions Intel

SAT Score Range

Reading & Writing430 – 560
20025th–75th percentile800
Math380 – 560
20025th–75th percentile800

ACT Score Range

Composite18 – 24
125th–75th percentile36

Acceptance Rate

67.5%

Transfer-Out Rate26.2%

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$33,840

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

2.1 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$16,453

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$130,690

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$295,220

Long-term projected return on your education investment

Graduation Rate: 49%

Students who don't graduate may still carry debt without the full earnings benefit. Consider program-specific outcomes in the Career Paths section below.

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at McNeese State University is $23,000.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
61.5%
38.5%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

White
64.3%
Black
17.6%
International
6.4%
Hispanic
4.5%
Two or more
3.9%
Asian
1.8%
Unknown
0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.0%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

0

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

0

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$8,460

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$8,431
$30k - $48k$8,219
$48k - $75k$12,263
$75k+$15,353

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$23,000
Pell Grant Recipients31.1%
Using Federal Loans30.9%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment62.3%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)

Avg. Federal Grant$3,857
Avg. Pell Grant$4,986
Avg. State/Local Grant$4,868
Avg. Institutional Grant$5,587
Students Receiving Grants88.0%

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

70.8%

Success

49.4%

In-State Cost

$8,460

Age 25+ Students

12.9%

Carnegie Class

Master's: Larger

Working at 6yr

1,760 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Lake Charles (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Lake Charles (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.

Living In Lake Charles

Off-Campus Market Estimator

Current Fair Market Rents
🏠

Studio

$835

Monthly Average

🏢

1 Bedroom

$840

Monthly Average

🏘️

2 Bedrooms

$1,080

Monthly Average

🏢

3 Bedrooms

$

Monthly Average

Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Lake Charles metropolitan area.