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Lamar University University of Houston-Downtown SFASU Tarleton Texas State UNT TAMUK Texas A&M UH A&M Commerce UTSA Texas Tech| McNeese State University | Sam Houston State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
| Location | Lake Charles, LA | Huntsville, TX | ||
| Setting | Small City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 6,230 | 21,480 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #890 | #778 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mcneese.edu | shsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,147 | $5,856 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $6,647 | $15,648 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,878 | $10,908 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $10,154 | $13,632 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,540 | $10,499 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 88% | 73% |
Admission |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,554 | 16,316 | ||
| Admitted | 2,532 | 13,809 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 71.2% | 84.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 41.6% | 24.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.36 | 3.25 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 970/1180 | 960/1140 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 19:1 | 20:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,000 | $47,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 49% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,238 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $209 | $222 |
Diversity |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 38% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 62% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 67% | 53% | ||
| % Black | 18% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 20% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 7% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 84% | 98% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 1% | ||
Campus |
McNeese | SHSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Sam Houston State University is larger than than McNeese based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 6,230 students)
McNeese vs. SHSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, McNeese or SHSU?
- Sam Houston State University is 13.8% more expensive to attend than McNeese for in-state tuition ($5,856.00 vs. $5,147.00)
- Out of state tuition is 135.4% higher at SHSU than McNeese State University ($15,648.00 vs. $6,647.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McNeese State University than SHSU ($10,154 vs. $13,632)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 10.4% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,878 vs. $10,908)
- More students receive financial grant aid at McNeese State University than Sam Houston State University (88% vs. 73%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 10.1% larger than aid received McNeese State University ($10,499 vs. $9,540)
McNeese vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, McNeese or SHSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SHSU or McNeese .
- The average SAT score at McNeese State University (1029) is 32 points higher than at SHSU (997)
- Incoming McNeese students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SHSU (22)
- Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at SHSU (3.25)
- SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than McNeese (71.2%)
McNeese vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, McNeese or SHSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SHSU and McNeese.
- The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than McNeese State University (50% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $3,800 more per year than McNeese graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $44,000)
- McNeese State University students graduate with a $1,262 lower median federal student loan debt than SHSU graduates. ($20,238 vs. $21,500)
- McNeese graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than SHSU graduates. ($209 vs. $222)
- More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 49%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/