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McNeese State University (MSU) is a medium-size public institution located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Since its founding as a two-year junior college in 1939, McNeese State has grown from a campus with only three buildings and 140 students. Later, in 1950, McNeese State became a four-year college and then, in 1970, a university. Today, campus educates over 6,500 undergraduate students and over 600 master's degree candidates. The McNeese campus now supports a wide range of undergraduate degrees, and they also have a robust roster of online degree options as well.
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Overview of McNeese State University (MSU)
McNeese students not only study hard but they have the chance to become well-rounded citizens outside of the classroom. The Lake Charles campus supports a range of athletics, from varsity options to intramurals to informal pick-up games in the Recreational Sports Complex. Intramural options include, but are not limited to, volleyball, flag football, basketball, table tennis, and badminton. The fitness center also supports students who want to take fitness classes, pump iron, enjoy a sauna, or play racquetball.
Students also find loads of other opportunities for expanding on their classroom learning by way of over 100 campus organizations. Students can join social organizations, such as a Greek society or clubs that focus on academics, professions, social issues, or politics. Each of these organizations can offer students opportunities for fellowship but also leadership and learning.
General Information
School Type | Public |
---|---|
Campus Setting | City: Small |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 19:1 |
Graduation Rate | 42% |
Year Founded | 1939 |
Student Enrollment
Total Students6,454
5,893
561
Undergraduate Student
Male 2,298
Female 3,595
Graduate Student
Male 219
Female 342
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Top Rankings For McNeese State University
MSU Acceptance Rate and Admissions
APPLICATIONS2,599
ACCEPTANCE1,793
Acceptance Rate69%
Enrollment 1,022
Admissions | |
---|---|
Application Fee | $20 |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Rank | NA |
High School Transcripts | Required |
College Prep Courses | Required |
Recommendations | NA |
SAT/ACT | Required |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
Application Deadline | August 1 |
Common Application Accepted | No |
MSU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
McNeese State University is a public university. As such, it offers a tremendous value to Louisiana state residents while charging a premium to its out-of-state scholars. Those who live in Louisiana see gross costs hovering around $9,500 for a year of tuition, books, and fees. Non-residents, on the other hand, pay nearly $18,000 for the same academic experience. Once all applicable room, board, and other living costs are tallied, Louisianans pay close to $25,000. Non-residents pay nearly $33,000. However, gross costs are not the whole story.
The financial aid office is able to contain costs by finding grants and scholarships that help tame costs. Their work pays off quite well for students who see an average net price tag of only $10,000. This figure falls to $7,500 for the lowest earning households and barely tops $14,000 for homes that earn in excess of $110,001. Households that fall in the median income range only pay an average net price of $12,000.
Average net price | 2020-2021 |
---|---|
Net Price | $10,487 |
Average Total Aid | $10,030 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 97% |
Room & Board | $9,344 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $8,380
- Tuition Out-of-State - $16,418
- Books and Supplies - $1,300
- Room & Board - $9,344
- Other - $5,190
Academics
McNeese State University attracts students for a variety of reasons. Some are interested in following in their parent's footsteps or they might be attracted to the varsity football games. However, there are more substantial, academic reasons to apply and enroll in McNeese State. Our researchers took a look at academic statistics such as the retention rate, graduation rate, and other metrics to determine its fitness as an institution of higher learning.
The retention rate is a key statistic that indicates the percent of first-time, full-time students who return for a second year. A high percent indicates that both students and their families are pleased with the school's faculty, curriculum, and campus resources. Since McNeese reports a strong retention rate of 72%, it's clear that students are happy to study in the Lake Charles university.
Researchers also note that the school reports an overall graduation rate of 42%, with 30% transferring to graduate elsewhere. Transfer students are seen as highly motivated individuals who apply to, and are accepted in, more competitive institutions or in universities that offer programs that McNeese State does not currently support. Since it can be presumed that most of those transfer students will graduate, it can be said that McNeese prepares up to 72% of its students for a college diploma.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 6,454
5,893
561
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
All Business Majors | 211 Total Graduates / 19% |
---|---|
Business Administration and Management, General | 111 Graduates |
Accounting | 47 Graduates |
Finance, General | 31 Graduates |
Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 22 Graduates |
Health Professions and Related Programs | 170 Total Graduates / 15% |
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 118 Graduates |
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer | 21 Graduates |
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist | 17 Graduates |
Health Services Administration | 14 Graduates |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitie | 137 Total Graduates / 13% |
General Studies | 122 Graduates |
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 15 Graduates |
All Engineering Majors | 104 Total Graduates / 9% |
Engineering, General | 63 Graduates |
Mechanical Engineering | 41 Graduates |
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology | 63 Total Graduates / 6% |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 63 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 38% |
Outcome & Salary
While there are no guaranteed outcomes when it comes to higher education, the terrific academic value at McNeese State University will surely pay personal and professional dividends for years to come. When we reviewed alumni earnings, our researchers discovered very positive things. Their top-earning alumni come from the engineering school, and they report a median, entry-level salary of nearly $77,000. Meanwhile, the fifth top-earning degree, according to self-reported numbers, came from the teacher education students, who reported a median salary of $45,000. In the middle of the pack were the computer science graduates who started their careers with median earnings of $60,000.
Graduates Salary | |
---|---|
College Grads Early Career Salary | $46,200 |
College Grads Average Salary | $69,000 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $67,500 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
---|---|
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $690,000 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,365,000 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $41,948 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $648,052 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,323,052 |
No College Education Salary Comparison | |
---|---|
National Average Salary | $38,792 |
10 Year Projected Income | $387,920 |
20 Year Projected Income | $775,840 |
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