McNeese Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Lake Charles, LA
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#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

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McNeese Admission Overview

McNeese admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year McNeese admitted 78.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 940-1198 / ACT 18-23. McNeese is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

McNeese is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://catalog.mcneese.edu/content.php?catoid=97&navoid=8177

McNeese Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

78.3%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The McNeese acceptance rate is 78.3%. Last year, 3,054 of 3,902 applicants were admitted. That is the 12th lowest acceptance rate in Louisiana.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into McNeese and can you get accepted?

McNeese is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

38% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

McNeese GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.36*

Typical High School Grades

B+

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.36*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

McNeese has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.36 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. McNeese is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

*3.36 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

McNeese Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

McNeese State University does not require SAT or ACT scores if you have a 2.0 high school core GPA. First-year applicants in the 2026-27 catalog may also qualify with a 20 ACT or 1020 SAT, 12 college-level credits, or an associate degree. English and math placement can use ACT, SAT, Accuplacer, or ALEKS.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://catalog.mcneese.edu/content.php?catoid=97&navoid=8177

McNeese SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

940-1198

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 490
Math 450
Composite 940

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 610
Math 588
Composite 1198

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at McNeese typically score around a 1070 SAT (middle 50% 940–1198) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 53rd percentile nationally. McNeese ranks #13 in the state of Louisiana for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 940 to 1198

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

McNeese is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1070 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at McNeese State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1198+	Above 75th	>87%
1070 to 1198	Avg +	78%-87%
940 to 1070	Avg -	65%-78%
Below 940	Below mid-50	<65%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

McNeese ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

18-23

Freshmen reporting ACT

86%

25th Percentile Scores

English 17
Math 16
Composite 18

75th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 23
Composite 23

Average ACT

Incoming testers at McNeese typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 18–23) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. McNeese places #16 among colleges in Louisiana for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 23

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to McNeese without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at McNeese State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
23+	Above 75th	>88%
20 to 23	Avg +	78%-88%
18 to 20	Avg -	68%-78%
Below 18	Below mid-50	<68%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the McNeese chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

McNeese State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,192	1,710	3,902
Accepted	1,706	1,348	3,054
Acceptance Rate	78%	79%	78%
Enrolled	716	450	1,166
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	42%	33%	38%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to McNeese State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

McNeese State University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to McNeese State University is $20.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at McNeese State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

McNeese is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 78.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (940-1198); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025