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Minnesota State University-Mankato KU Texas State Tarleton NKU Winona State University LSU UL Lafayette Lamar University Arkansas State University Alcorn State University LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech| McNeese State University | Southwest Minnesota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Location | Lake Charles, LA | Marshall, MN | ||
| Setting | Small City | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 6,060 | 7,324 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #882 | #910 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mcneese.edu | smsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,147 | $8,840 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $6,647 | $8,840 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,596 | $10,666 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,393 | $14,839 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,409 | $7,455 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 83% | 91% |
Admission |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,294 | 2,630 | ||
| Admitted | 2,225 | 1,813 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.5% | 68.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 47.8% | 20.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.36 | 3.21 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | Low | ||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 810/1120 | 935/1102 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 18, 2026 |
Academics |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 37% | 39% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,000 | $41,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 49% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,238 | $21,678 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $209 | $224 |
Diversity |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 6% | 4% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 67% | 80% | ||
| % Black | 18% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 7% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 85% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 10% | 20% | ||
Campus |
McNeese | Southwest Minnesota State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than McNeese based on total student enrollment (7,324 students vs. 6,060 students)
McNeese vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, McNeese or Southwest Minnesota State University?
- Southwest Minnesota State University is 71.8% more expensive to attend than McNeese for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $5,147.00)
- Out of state tuition is 33% higher at Southwest Minnesota State University than McNeese State University ($8,840.00 vs. $6,647.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McNeese State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($11,393 vs. $14,839)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 0.7% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,596 vs. $10,666)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than McNeese State University (91% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 26.2% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,409 vs. $7,455)
McNeese vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, McNeese or Southwest Minnesota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwest Minnesota State University or McNeese .
- The average SAT score at McNeese State University (1029) is 21 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
- Incoming McNeese students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
- Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
- Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than McNeese (67.5%)
McNeese vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, McNeese or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and McNeese.
- The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than McNeese State University (39% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from McNeese State University earn on average $2,800 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($44,000 vs. $41,200)
- McNeese State University students graduate with a $1,440 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($20,238 vs. $21,678)
- McNeese graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates. ($209 vs. $224)
- More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 49%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/