McNeese vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

McNeese vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or UHCL? 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 UHCL ($12,430 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 15.8% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($10,644 vs. $12,642).
• McNeese State University is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $719 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.4% higher at UHCL than at McNeese State University (about $11,125 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 30.9% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($12,630 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McNeese State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at UHCL (1060).
• Incoming UHCL 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; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UHCL students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

McNeese vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and UHCL? 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 University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $3,088 lower median loan debt than McNeese graduates ($17,150 vs. $20,238).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McNeese graduates ($177 vs. $209).
• More UHCL 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.