McNeese vs. UNO

Comparable Facts

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

University of New Orleans is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (6,501 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 New Orleans is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Orleans is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; University of New Orleans 19:1.

McNeese vs. UNO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or UNO? 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 University of New Orleans than McNeese ($12,258 vs. $12,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 5.7% lower than at University of New Orleans ($10,644 vs. $11,292).
• University of New Orleans is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $683 more per year; $9,172.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at UNO than at McNeese State University (about $4,019 more per year; $14,008.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University as at University of New Orleans (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Orleans students is 11.6% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($10,771 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. UNO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of New Orleans (1090) is 20 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming McNeese students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at UNO (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; University of New Orleans 935/1241.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; University of New Orleans 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; UNO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNO Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at UNO (3.21).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than UNO (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 18.1% at UNO.

McNeese vs. UNO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and UNO? 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 New Orleans's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than UNO graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of New Orleans graduates have a $3,738 lower median loan debt than McNeese graduates ($16,500 vs. $20,238).
• Among borrowers, UNO graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McNeese graduates ($170 vs. $209).
• More UNO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.