IU South Bend vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University South Bend in South Bend, IN with McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McNeese State University is larger than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 4,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University South Bend is located in South Bend, IN (Midsize City setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• Indiana University South Bend is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University South Bend 15:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

IU South Bend vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend 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 Indiana University South Bend than McNeese ($9,003 vs. $12,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 4.3% lower than at McNeese State University ($10,184 vs. $10,644).
• McNeese State University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (about $65 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.4% higher at IU South Bend than at McNeese State University (about $12,822 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at Indiana University South Bend (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($9,649 vs. $8,371).

IU South Bend vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend 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 IU South Bend.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University South Bend (1070) is the same as at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming IU South Bend 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: Indiana University South Bend 950/1190; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 21/23; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU South Bend - Test optional; McNeese - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at IU South Bend vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

IU South Bend vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU South Bend 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 Indiana University South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $4,292 lower median loan debt than IU South Bend graduates ($20,238 vs. $24,530).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU South Bend graduates ($209 vs. $253).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 47%)

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.