McNeese vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA with University of St Thomas in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McNeese State University is larger than University of St Thomas based on total student enrollment (6,241 students vs. 4,301 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting); University of St Thomas is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McNeese State University 20:1; University of St Thomas 16:1.

McNeese vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McNeese or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas ($12,430 vs. $20,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 1.8% lower than at University of St Thomas ($10,644 vs. $10,840).
• University of St Thomas is 308% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $26,145 more per year; $34,634.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 246.7% higher at University of St Thomas than at McNeese State University (about $24,645 more per year; $34,634.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at McNeese State University (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 158.1% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($24,902 vs. $9,649).

McNeese vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McNeese or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas and McNeese.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1100) is 30 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at McNeese).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 940/1198; University of St Thomas 980/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: McNeese State University 18/23; University of St Thomas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McNeese - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of St Thomas students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.2% at McNeese vs. 29.7% at University of St Thomas.

McNeese vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McNeese and University of St Thomas? 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).

• University of St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $1,762 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($20,238 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($209 vs. $227).
• More University of St Thomas 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.