University of Central Arkansas vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Arkansas is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• University of Central Arkansas 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 Central Arkansas 15:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas 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 McNeese State University than University of Central Arkansas ($12,430 vs. $16,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 14.4% lower than at McNeese State University ($9,110 vs. $10,644).
• University of Central Arkansas is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $2,034 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.4% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at McNeese State University (about $8,034 more per year; $18,023.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at McNeese State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($9,649 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas 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 University of Central Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McNeese State University (1070) is 30 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas 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: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; McNeese - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

University of Central Arkansas vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas 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).

• University of Central Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $1,177 lower median loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($20,238 vs. $21,415).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($209 vs. $221).
• More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.