McNeese vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

McNeese vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or ETSU? 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 ETSU ($12,430 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 0.8% lower than at McNeese State University ($10,554 vs. $10,644).
• East Tennessee State University is 23.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $1,983 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at ETSU than at McNeese State University (about $4,533 more per year; $14,522.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at East Tennessee State University (88% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 4.7% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($10,101 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McNeese or ETSU? 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 ETSU and McNeese.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 20 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming ETSU 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: McNeese State University 940/1198; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

McNeese vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and ETSU? 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).

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $262 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($20,238 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($209 vs. $211).
• More ETSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 49%)

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.