IU Northwest vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN 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 IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

IU Northwest vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than McNeese ($5,745 vs. $12,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 3% lower than at Indiana University Northwest ($10,644 vs. $10,972).
• McNeese State University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $65 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.4% higher at IU Northwest than at McNeese State University (about $12,822 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at Indiana University Northwest (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($9,649 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McNeese State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest 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: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; McNeese - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

IU Northwest vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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).

• McNeese State University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $4,792 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($20,238 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($209 vs. $258).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 33%)

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.