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GS Georgia State University of West Georgia KSU VSU Clayton State University TROY Texas State Albany State University Tarleton NKU LSU| Columbus State University | McNeese State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Lake Charles, LA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 7,610 | 6,060 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #997 | #882 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | mcneese.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $5,147 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $6,647 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,262 | $10,596 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,384 | $11,393 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,299 | $9,409 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 83% |
Admission |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,550 | 3,294 | ||
| Admitted | 3,523 | 2,225 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 99.2% | 67.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.7% | 47.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.36 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 860/1100 | 810/1120 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Required to be considered for admission | ||
| Application Deadline | Jun 30, 2026 |
Academics |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $44,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 49% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $20,238 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $209 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 7% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 14% | 6% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 67% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 18% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 7% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 91% | 85% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 7% | 10% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | McNeese | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Columbus State University is larger than than McNeese based on total student enrollment (7,610 students vs. 6,060 students)
Columbus State vs. McNeese Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or McNeese?
- McNeese State University is 17.8% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($5,147.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 132.1% higher at Columbus State than McNeese State University ($15,425.00 vs. $6,647.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than McNeese ($11,384 vs. $11,393)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 6.3% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,596 vs. $11,262)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than McNeese State University (98% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 13.4% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($9,409 vs. $8,299)
Columbus State vs. McNeese Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or McNeese? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between McNeese or Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at McNeese State University (1029) is 68 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming McNeese students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than McNeese (67.5%)
Columbus State vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State or McNeese? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between McNeese and Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at McNeese is higher than Columbus State University (37% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from McNeese State University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($44,000 vs. $37,400)
- McNeese State University students graduate with a $5,762 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($20,238 vs. $26,000)
- McNeese graduates are paying $59 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($209 vs. $268)
- More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/