California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($12,430 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 24.6% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($10,644 vs. $14,118).
• McNeese State University is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $239 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.7% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at McNeese State University (about $10,861 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (88% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 11.4% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($10,748 vs. $9,649).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 10 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; McNeese - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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).

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $738 lower median loan debt than McNeese graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,238).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McNeese graduates ($201 vs. $209).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.