McNeese vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (15,665 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 Louisiana at Lafayette is in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1.

McNeese vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or UL Lafayette? 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 UL Lafayette ($12,430 vs. $13,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 12.1% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($10,644 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 22.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $1,929 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.7% higher at UL Lafayette than at McNeese State University (about $14,157 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at McNeese State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 21.9% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($11,762 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 110 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UL Lafayette students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

McNeese vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and UL Lafayette? 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).

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $738 lower median loan debt than McNeese graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,238).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McNeese graduates ($201 vs. $209).
• More UL Lafayette 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.