McNeese vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA with Texas State University in San Marcos, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; Texas State University 21:1.

McNeese vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or Texas State? 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 Texas State ($12,430 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 15.7% lower than at Texas State University ($10,644 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 34.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $2,961 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.6% higher at Texas State than at McNeese State University (about $12,941 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at Texas State University (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 30.1% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($12,556 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 20 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming Texas State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

McNeese vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and Texas State? 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).

• Texas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $1,012 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($20,238 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($209 vs. $219).
• More Texas State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.