McNeese vs. University of Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA with University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McNeese State University is larger than University of Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 802 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); University of Holy Cross is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; University of Holy Cross 7:1.

McNeese vs. University of Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or University of Holy Cross? 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 University of Holy Cross ($12,430 vs. $14,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 9.8% lower than at University of Holy Cross ($10,644 vs. $11,802).
• University of Holy Cross is 95.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $8,087 more per year; $16,576.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at University of Holy Cross than at McNeese State University (about $6,587 more per year; $16,576.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Holy Cross than at McNeese State University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Holy Cross students is 33.3% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($12,861 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. University of Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McNeese or University of Holy Cross? 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 University of Holy Cross and McNeese.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; University of Holy Cross - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Holy Cross Jul 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at University of Holy Cross (3.12).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than University of Holy Cross (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 6% at University of Holy Cross.

McNeese vs. University of Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and University of Holy Cross? 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).

• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than University of Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $12,220 lower median loan debt than University of Holy Cross graduates ($20,238 vs. $32,458).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Holy Cross graduates ($209 vs. $335).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 48%)

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.