McNeese vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

McNeese vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or UTC? 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 UTC ($12,430 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 15.6% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($10,644 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $1,959 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.3% higher at UTC than at McNeese State University (about $8,523 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at McNeese State University (92% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 4% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($10,038 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 40 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming UTC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 29.2% at UTC.

McNeese vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and UTC? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $554 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($20,238 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($209 vs. $214).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.