McNeese State University campus
McNeese State University logo

McNeese State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale City: Small
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Medium
Dormitory capacity 1,037
Student to faculty ratio 19 to 1
Acceptance rate 69%
Students retention rate 69%
On-time graduation rate 42%

Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese State is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

McNeese State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at McNeese State is 19-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in Louisiana is 17-to-1, while the national average is 17-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

While the on-time graduation rate at McNeese State is reported to be 42%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Louisiana state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 42% whereas the national average was 49%.

The student retention rate of 69% at McNeese State suggests that a significant percentage of students choose to continue their studies at the institution after their first-year.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

68.8%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,380

Cost of attendance at McNeese State University in 2022 for students from Louisiana.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Louisiana's average $8,756
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$16,418

Cost of attendance at McNeese State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Louisiana's average $18,188
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 94 of freshman students at McNeese State University received on average $10,030 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$10,030
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 458 38% $4,982 $2,281,878
Other Federal Grant 1,006 84% $3,204 $3,223,016
State Grant/Scholarships 967 81% $4,921 $4,758,186
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 708 59% $4,650 $3,292,075
Total Grant & Scholarships 1,124 94% $10,030 $11,273,277

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of McNeese State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of McNeese State University students is 42.2%. Female students graduated at a rate of 44.2%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 39.4%.

42.2%

  • asian 40.0% 4 students
  • African American 25.3% 63 students
  • white 47.6% 419 students
  • hispanic 36.4% 16 students
  • International Students 42.4% 42 students
  • Mixed Race 39.2% 20 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Southland Conference
  • Baseball Southland Conference
  • Basketball Southland Conference
  • Track and Cross Country Southland Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

McNeese State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

McNeese State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Postbaccalaureate Recreational or avocational education

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)