McNeese vs. UT Arlington

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); The University of Texas at Arlington is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1.

McNeese vs. UT Arlington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or UT Arlington? 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 UT Arlington ($12,430 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 5.2% lower than at The University of Texas at Arlington ($10,644 vs. $11,228).
• The University of Texas at Arlington is 40.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $3,461 more per year; $11,950.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.1% higher at UT Arlington than at McNeese State University (about $19,593 more per year; $29,582.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University as at The University of Texas at Arlington (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students is 25.7% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($12,127 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. UT Arlington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Arlington (1130) is 60 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming UT Arlington students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; The University of Texas at Arlington 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; The University of Texas at Arlington 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; UT Arlington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Arlington students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• UT Arlington has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 26.4% at UT Arlington.

McNeese vs. UT Arlington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and UT Arlington? 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).

• The University of Texas at Arlington's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Arlington earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates have a $2,238 lower median loan debt than McNeese graduates ($18,000 vs. $20,238).
• Among borrowers, UT Arlington graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McNeese graduates ($186 vs. $209).
• More UT Arlington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.