McNeese vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

McNeese vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or NSU? 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 NSU ($12,430 vs. $13,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 2.6% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($10,644 vs. $10,926).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $375 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.7% higher at NSU than at McNeese State University (about $9,663 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at McNeese State University (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 25.4% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($12,098 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McNeese State University (1070) is 60 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU 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; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 37.4% at NSU.

McNeese vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and NSU? 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).

• The graduation rate at McNeese is the same as at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (37% vs. 37%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $1,293 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($20,238 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($209 vs. $222).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 46%)

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.