McNeese vs. MC

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA with Mississippi College in Clinton, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McNeese State University is larger than MC based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 4,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); Mississippi College is in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; Mississippi College 14:1.

McNeese vs. MC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or MC? 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 MC ($12,430 vs. $28,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 34% lower than at Mississippi College ($10,644 vs. $16,120).
• Mississippi College is 176.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $15,011 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.3% higher at MC than at McNeese State University (about $13,511 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College than at McNeese State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi College students is 31.4% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($12,676 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. MC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 130 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming MC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; Mississippi College 1140/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Mississippi College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; MC - Required.
• Accepted freshman MC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• McNeese has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 91% at MC.

McNeese vs. MC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and MC? 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).

• Mississippi College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Mississippi College earn a median of about $100 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $4,762 lower median loan debt than MC graduates ($20,238 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MC graduates ($209 vs. $258).
• More MC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.