McNeese State University — College Profile

About

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is best known for delivering strong return-on-investment degrees closely tied to the region’s robust energy, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Its strongest academic offerings include ABET-accredited engineering, nursing and health sciences, business, and an acclaimed Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Campus culture blends rich Cajun and Creole traditions with NCAA Division I Southland Conference athletic spirit, anchored by the beloved "Pride of McNeese" marching band and a tight-knit, community-driven student body. A distinctive hallmark of the university is its Harold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences, which features three operational working farms totaling over 1,000 acres for immersive, hands-on learning.

Wikipedia:McNeese State University is a public university in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States. Founded in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College, it was renamed McNeese Junior College after John McNeese, an early local educator. The present name was adopted in 1970. McNeese is part of the University of Louisiana System and is classified as a Master's University. The university consists of six colleges and the Doré School of Graduate Studies. McNeese is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Location

Lake Charles, LA, 70605 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

IAH · Houston Intercontinental

128 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$8,489$9,989

Housing & food (on campus)$10,644$10,644

Books & supplies$1,353$1,353

Cost of attendance$22,810$24,310 est.

Average net price$12,493Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$9,989

In-state: $8,489

Housing & food (on campus)$10,644

Books & supplies$1,353

Cost of attendance$24,310 est.

In-state: $22,810

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $12,493

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$10,482

$30–48k

$11,067

$48–75k

$11,640

$75–110k

$16,190

$110k+

$18,250

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

49%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

25%

Back for yr 2

68%

Transferred

28%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

45% graduated · 30% transferred · 2% still enrolled · 24% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$38,713

10 yrs after entry$46,453

Debt

Median at graduation$23,000

Monthly payment$244

Middle 50% owe$5.2k–$23.6k

90th percentile$38,358

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

78%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1087

R 490–610 · M 450–588

ACT midpoint

Comp 18–23 · E 17–24 · M 16–23

SAT middle 50%: 940–1198

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If McNeese State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body

Gender

Men 38%Women 62%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

20 : 1

Pell grant

35%

First-gen

38%

Family income

$35,341

Independent

22%

Age at entry

21.0

Part-time

10%

Race & ethnicity

White

61%

Hispanic

Black

19%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Beach Volleyball
Women's
Football
Men's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$38,713

After 10 yrs

$46,453

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities156

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing131

Business Administration, Management and Operations93

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness70

Psychology, General58

Agriculture, General50

Criminal Justice and Corrections44

Biology, General42

Accounting and Related Services35

Mechanical Engineering34

Computer Science33

Engineering, General32

Sociology29

Communication and Media Studies26

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods24

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions22

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$21M

Full-time faculty

100%

Faculty salary

$7,591/mo

Teaching spend

$5,647

per student

Federal loans

32%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (larger programs)

Undergraduate profile