McNeese State University
- 4/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Lake Charles, LA
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0 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
6,241- Location Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Website mcneese.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Small City
- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
McNeese State University occupies a 375-acre main campus in Lake Charles, Louisiana, positioned in the southwestern region of the state approximately 30 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. Established in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College, the institution achieved university status in 1970 and maintains a suburban campus setting characterized by brick buildings and live oak trees. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across six academic colleges, with notable strengths in engineering, nursing, business, and agricultural sciences. McNeese State competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Cowboys and Cowgirls in the Southland Conference, with football played at Cowboy Stadium on campus. The university provides on-campus housing through several residence halls and apartment complexes that accommodate both traditional and non-traditional students.
Ratings
McNeese is rated within the lower 33% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.
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Overall Rating4 out of 10
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Academics4 out of 10
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Resources2 out of 10
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Outcomes5 out of 10
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Value3 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for McNeese State University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 940/1198
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 18/23
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due -
- Enrollment Rate 38.2%
- Application Fee $20
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
Louisiana Resident Tuition
$8,489Out of State Resident Tuition
$9,989Breakdown
- Tuition $8,489
- Books and Supplies $1,353
- Other Fees $3,342
- Room and Board $10,644
- Budget for Other Expenses $6,164
- Total One Year Cost $29,992
- Tuition $9,989
- Books and Supplies $1,353
- Other Fees $3,342
- Room and Board $10,644
- Budget for Other Expenses $6,164
- Total One Year Cost $31,492
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at McNeese State University are Liberal Arts and Humanities, Health Professions, and Business. 22% of students major in Liberal Arts and Humanities, 17% in Health Professions, and 13% in Business.
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Liberal Arts and Humanities 22%
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Health Professions 17%
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Business 13%
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Education 9%
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Engineering 5%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering McNeese State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=159717.
GPA calculator: McNeese State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026