University of West Alabama vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

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

University of West Alabama is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

University of West Alabama vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama ($12,430 vs. $13,954).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 22.7% lower than at McNeese State University ($8,230 vs. $10,644).
• University of West Alabama is 29.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $2,501 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.1% higher at University of West Alabama than at McNeese State University (about $10,101 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama than at McNeese State University (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 6.8% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($9,649 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at McNeese State University (1070) is 80 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming McNeese students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; McNeese - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

University of West Alabama vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $6,251 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($20,238 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($209 vs. $273).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 36%)

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.