McNeese vs. Tulane

Comparable Facts

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

Tulane University of Louisiana is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (13,310 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); Tulane University of Louisiana is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1.

McNeese vs. Tulane Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or Tulane? 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 Tulane ($12,430 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 43.6% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($10,644 vs. $18,868).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 709% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $60,189 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 587.5% higher at Tulane than at McNeese State University (about $58,689 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at Tulane University of Louisiana (88% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students is 311% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($39,654 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. Tulane Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tulane University of Louisiana (1460) is 390 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming Tulane students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; Tulane - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tulane students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Tulane (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 40.3% at Tulane.

McNeese vs. Tulane Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and Tulane? 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 Tulane University of Louisiana earn a median of about $30,200 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $7,291 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($20,238 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($209 vs. $284).
• More Tulane graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.