UALR vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas at Little Rock is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (8,216 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

UALR vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or McNeese? 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 Arkansas at Little Rock than McNeese ($12,033 vs. $12,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 1.1% lower than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock ($10,644 vs. $10,760).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $1,259 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.8% higher at UALR than at McNeese State University (about $12,169 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Little Rock than at McNeese State University (92% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students is 14.1% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($11,013 vs. $9,649).

UALR vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 20 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming UALR students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at McNeese (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; McNeese - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

UALR vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and McNeese? 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).

• McNeese State University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $262 lower median loan debt than UALR graduates ($20,238 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UALR graduates ($209 vs. $211).
• More UALR graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.