Centenary College of Louisiana vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

Compare Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, LA with McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McNeese State University is larger than Centenary College of Louisiana based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 712 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centenary College of Louisiana is located in Shreveport, LA (Midsize City setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• Centenary College of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centenary College of Louisiana 8:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary College of Louisiana or McNeese? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McNeese State University than Centenary College of Louisiana ($12,430 vs. $25,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 28.1% lower than at Centenary College of Louisiana ($10,644 vs. $14,800).
• Centenary College of Louisiana is 385.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $32,711 more per year; $41,200.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 312.5% higher at Centenary College of Louisiana than at McNeese State University (about $31,211 more per year; $41,200.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centenary College of Louisiana than at McNeese State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary College of Louisiana students is 258.8% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($34,617 vs. $9,649).

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centenary College of Louisiana or McNeese? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between McNeese and Centenary College of Louisiana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centenary College of Louisiana (1140) is 70 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming Centenary College of Louisiana students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centenary College of Louisiana 1060/1210; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centenary College of Louisiana 20/25; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centenary College of Louisiana - Test optional; McNeese - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centenary College of Louisiana Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Centenary College of Louisiana students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Centenary College of Louisiana (55.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Centenary College of Louisiana vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centenary College of Louisiana and McNeese? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Centenary College of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Centenary College of Louisiana earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,500 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $5,762 lower median loan debt than Centenary College of Louisiana graduates ($20,238 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centenary College of Louisiana graduates ($209 vs. $268).
• More Centenary College of Louisiana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.