McNeese vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to McNeese State University or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McNeese or Central Washington University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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McNeese State University vs. Central Washington University comparison
McNeese State University Central Washington University College 3 College 4
McNeese State University Central Washington University
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Overview

McNeese Central Washington University
Location Lake Charles, LA Ellensburg, WA
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 6,230 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #890 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcneese.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McNeese Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $5,147 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $6,647 $23,881
Room & Board $9,878 $13,645
Avg Net Price $10,154 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $9,540 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 73%

Admission

McNeese Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,554 6,409
Admitted 2,532 5,992
Acceptance Rate 71.2% 93.5%
Enrolled % 41.6% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 17/24
SAT Range 970/1180 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024

Academics

McNeese Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering (5%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

McNeese Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 37% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,000 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 49% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,238 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $209 $214

Diversity

McNeese Central Washington University
% Men 38% 47%
% Women 62% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 59%
% Black 18% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 14%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 9%

Students

McNeese Central Washington University
% In-State 84% 95%
% Out-of-State 8% 5%

Campus

McNeese Central Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than McNeese based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 6,230 students)

McNeese vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or Central Washington University?

  • Central Washington University is 32.4% more expensive to attend than McNeese for in-state tuition ($6,816.00 vs. $5,147.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 259.3% higher at Central Washington University than McNeese State University ($23,881.00 vs. $6,647.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McNeese State University than Central Washington University ($10,154 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 38.1% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($9,878 vs. $13,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McNeese State University than Central Washington University (88% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 2.6% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($9,540 vs. $9,294)

McNeese vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McNeese or Central Washington University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Central Washington University or McNeese .

  • The average SAT score at McNeese State University (1029) is 51 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming McNeese students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than McNeese (71.2%)

McNeese vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McNeese or Central Washington University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Central Washington University and McNeese.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than McNeese State University (56% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $3,800 more per year than McNeese graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $44,000)
  • McNeese State University students graduate with a $499 lower median federal student loan debt than Central Washington University graduates. ($20,238 vs. $20,737)
  • McNeese graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Central Washington University graduates. ($209 vs. $214)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/