McNeese vs. SUNO

Comparable Facts

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

McNeese State University is larger than SUNO based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 2,468 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); Southern University at New Orleans is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern University at New Orleans is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; Southern University at New Orleans 13:1.

McNeese vs. SUNO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or SUNO? 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 SUNO ($12,430 vs. $14,480).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 6.1% lower than at Southern University at New Orleans ($10,644 vs. $11,337).
• McNeese State University is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNO (about $435 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $8,054.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.7% higher at SUNO than at McNeese State University (about $6,965 more per year; $16,954.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern University at New Orleans than at McNeese State University (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern University at New Orleans students is 16.4% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($11,231 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. SUNO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McNeese State University (1070) is 130 points higher than at SUNO (940).
• Incoming McNeese students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at SUNO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; Southern University at New Orleans 820/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Southern University at New Orleans 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; SUNO - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNO Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.96 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at SUNO (2.4).
• SUNO has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 3.2% at SUNO.

McNeese vs. SUNO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and SUNO? 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 $12,400 more per year than SUNO graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $4,110 lower median loan debt than SUNO graduates ($20,238 vs. $24,348).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNO graduates ($209 vs. $251).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNO students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 22%)

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.