McNeese vs. UIW

Comparable Facts

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

University of the Incarnate Word is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (7,047 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 the Incarnate Word is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Incarnate Word is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; University of the Incarnate Word 12:1.

McNeese vs. UIW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or UIW? 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 UIW ($12,430 vs. $23,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 25.5% lower than at University of the Incarnate Word ($10,644 vs. $14,296).
• University of the Incarnate Word is 336.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $28,601 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 271.3% higher at UIW than at McNeese State University (about $27,101 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Incarnate Word than at McNeese State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Incarnate Word students is 162.8% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($25,354 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. UIW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McNeese State University (1070) is 50 points higher than at UIW (1020).
• Incoming McNeese students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at UIW (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; University of the Incarnate Word 900/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; University of the Incarnate Word 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; UIW - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman UIW students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• UIW has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 9.1% at UIW.

McNeese vs. UIW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and UIW? 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 the Incarnate Word's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of the Incarnate Word earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $6,941 lower median loan debt than UIW graduates ($20,238 vs. $27,179).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIW graduates ($209 vs. $281).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIW students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 48%)

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.