What is the acceptance rate at McNeese State University?

McNeese State University's acceptance rate is approximately 78% (Lake Charles, LA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for McNeese State University?

Admitted students at McNeese State University typically score 940–1198 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does McNeese State University cost?

At McNeese State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $12,493 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend McNeese State University?

McNeese State University enrolls approximately 5,005 undergraduate students.

Where is McNeese State University located?

McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA.

McNeese State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LApublicwww.mcneese.edu/

Acceptance

78%

SAT 25–75

940–1198

Avg net price

$12,493

Earnings (10 yr)

$46,453

Graduation rate

47%

Admit rate has ranged 63%–81% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

McNeese State University is a dynamic, student-centered public university in Lake Charles, Louisiana, known for its practical, career-ready programs in nursing, engineering, and business. With a 78% acceptance rate and a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, McNeese offers a supportive, hands-on learning environment where students can explore over 250 majors and minors. The university's strong regional reputation and affordable net price ($11,393 after aid) make it a standout choice for students seeking a high-value education in the South.

Admission requirements

Test scores required

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 5,005
In-state tuition: $8,489
Out-of-state tuition: $9,989
Acceptance Rate: 78.3%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Median Earnings (1 Yr): $36,427
Financial Aid Recipients: 95%

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $46,453
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 3.7×
Median debt at graduation: $23,000
Graduation rate: 47%
First-year retention: 68%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 62%
Pell (lower-income) share: 68%
First-generation share: 38%
Endowment / student: $4,180

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Engineering, General$69,338
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$58,104
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$49,136
Computer Science$47,260
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$46,673
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 2
Per 1,000 students: 0.40

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 109
Summer high: 89°F
Winter low: 48°F
Annual rain: 64.6"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively High

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 95
Scholarly works: 1,722

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 2.6%
Bottom → top quintile: 20%
From bottom quintile: 13%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at McNeese State University?: McNeese State University's acceptance rate is approximately 78% (Lake Charles, LA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for McNeese State University?: Admitted students at McNeese State University typically score 940–1198 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does McNeese State University cost?: At McNeese State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $12,493 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend McNeese State University?: McNeese State University enrolls approximately 5,005 undergraduate students.
Where is McNeese State University located?: McNeese State University is located in Lake Charles, LA.

Admissions

McNeese State University is a moderately selective institution with an of 78.3%, admitting 3,054 out of 3,902 applicants in 2024. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 990-1190 on the SAT (combined EBRW and Math) or 19-23 on the ACT. High school GPA is a strong factor, with 37% of admitted students holding a 3.75+ GPA and 64% between 3.50-3.74. The university has rolling admissions with a regular application deadline of August 1, though dual enrollment students can qualify with an ACT composite of 19 or SAT total of 980.

mcneese.edu collegedata.com datausa.io bigfuture.collegeboard.org mcneese.edu

Academics

McNeese offers over 250 majors, minors, and certificate programs across its colleges, with particularly strong programs in nursing, health professions, engineering, biology, business, and agriculture. The university emphasizes practical, career-ready education—business administration majors, for example, graduate with professional connections. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, 46.3% of classes have fewer than 20 students. The general studies program provides flexibility for students exploring interests, while 18 graduate programs (including 9 fully online options) cater to continuing education needs.