SIUE vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

SIUE vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or McNeese? 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 SIUE ($12,430 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNeese State University are 26.5% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($10,644 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 52.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than McNeese (about $4,433 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $8,489.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.4% higher at SIUE than at McNeese State University (about $2,933 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at McNeese State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 20.2% larger than aid received by McNeese State University students ($11,602 vs. $9,649).

SIUE vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is the same as at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming SIUE 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: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; McNeese - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at McNeese (3.36).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

SIUE vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and McNeese? 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).

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than McNeese State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than McNeese graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McNeese State University graduates have a $1,192 lower median loan debt than SIUE graduates ($20,238 vs. $21,430).
• Among borrowers, McNeese graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SIUE graduates ($209 vs. $221).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNeese students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.