McNeese vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Missouri State University is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (9,152 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

McNeese vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or Northwest? 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 Northwest ($12,430 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 13.3% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($10,644 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 25% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $2,122 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.4% higher at Northwest than at McNeese State University (about $7,335 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at McNeese State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 6% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($9,649 vs. $9,101).

McNeese vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McNeese or Northwest? 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 Northwest and McNeese.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Missouri State University (1080) is 10 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming Northwest 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: McNeese State University 940/1198; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

McNeese vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and Northwest? 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).

• Northwest Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $4,762 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($20,238 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($209 vs. $258).
• More Northwest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.