McNeese vs. Southeastern

Comparable Facts

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

Southeastern Louisiana University is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (14,426 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

McNeese vs. Southeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or Southeastern? 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 Southeastern ($12,430 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeastern Louisiana University are 3.8% lower than at McNeese State University ($10,240 vs. $10,644).
• McNeese State University is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern (about $116 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $8,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.7% higher at Southeastern than at McNeese State University (about $10,862 more per year; $20,851.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Louisiana University than at McNeese State University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southeastern Louisiana University students is 6.3% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($10,253 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. Southeastern Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Southeastern 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.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Southeastern Louisiana University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; Southeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southeastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southeastern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• Southeastern has a higher acceptance rate (99.3%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 38.8% at Southeastern.

McNeese vs. Southeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and Southeastern? 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 Southeastern Louisiana University's (33%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Southeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $1,034 lower median loan debt than Southeastern graduates ($20,238 vs. $21,272).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southeastern graduates ($209 vs. $219).
• More Southeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.