True College Verdict
F

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · 5,005 undergraduates · 41% receive Pell Grants · admits 78%
PublicMainly bachelor's degrees

Among the weakest of its kind. Look at alternatives before enrolling. It ranks 1,329 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 34.1 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
Yes
Average net price $11,228 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
About half
51% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Mixed
Graduates owe a typical $21,383 against earnings of $50,152, a ratio of 0.43. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

What do students really think?

You have seen the federal numbers for McNeese State University. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.

Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.

Why it is good

  • Affordable: the average student pays about $11,228 a year after grants, cheaper than 86% of four-year colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Only 51% of students graduate. 68% of four-year colleges do better.
  • Many students leave early: only 68% of first-year students return for a second year.
  • Low pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $50,152, lower than 73% of four-year colleges.
  • Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $21,383 in federal loans against earnings of $50,152.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
51%
Better than 32% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
68%
Better than 26% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$50,152
Better than 27% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$21,383
Better than 29% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$11,228
Better than 86% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$9,084
Out of state: $10,584

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Associate degrees: largest programs

FieldGraduates a yearEarnings, 2 yrs afterDebt
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities58$24,035$21,100

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for McNeese State University, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

Compare with other colleges Estimate your cost

The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.