McNeese vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McNeese State University is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

McNeese vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or TLU? 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 TLU ($12,430 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 13.8% lower than at Texas Lutheran University ($10,644 vs. $12,350).
• Texas Lutheran University is 326.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $27,741 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 262.7% higher at TLU than at McNeese State University (about $26,241 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at McNeese State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 157.7% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($24,861 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. TLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Lutheran University (1130) is 60 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming TLU 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; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 16.8% at TLU.

McNeese vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and TLU? 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).

• Texas Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $6,762 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($20,238 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($209 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.