Skip to content

McNeese State University vs Southern University at New Orleans

McNeese State University is a public university in Lake Charles, LA. Southern University at New Orleans is a public university in New Orleans, LA. McNeese State University admits about 78% of applicants and Southern University at New Orleans about 79%, making McNeese State University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,493 a year at McNeese State University after aid, and about $14,810 at Southern University at New Orleans. About 49% of students graduate at McNeese State University, compared with 16% at Southern University at New Orleans. Ten years after enrolling, McNeese State University alumni earn a median of about $46,453, against $34,042 for Southern University at New Orleans.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public

Southern University at New Orleans

New Orleans, LA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Lake Charles, LA
New Orleans, LA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
5,005
1,055
Acceptance rate
78%
79%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.34–3.84
3.28–3.78
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1198
820–1050
ACT (middle 50%)
18–23
15–20
Test policy
Considered
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,493
$14,810
Full cost / yr
$22,810
$23,905
In-state tuition
$8,489
$8,054
Out-of-state tuition
$9,989
$16,954
Application fee
$20
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,482
$14,771
$30k - $48k
$11,067
Not reported
$48k - $75k
$11,640
Not reported
$75k - $110k
$16,190
$19,360
Over $110k
$18,250
Not reported
Outcomes
Graduation rate
49%
16%
Freshman retention
68%
52%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$38,713
$29,148
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,453
$34,042
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
$31,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
42%
First-generation students
38%
50%
International students
7%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Jul 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is McNeese State University or Southern University at New Orleans harder to get into?
McNeese State University is harder to get into. It admits about 78% of applicants, compared with 79% at Southern University at New Orleans. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, McNeese State University or Southern University at New Orleans?
McNeese State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,493 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $14,810 at Southern University at New Orleans. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at McNeese State University and Southern University at New Orleans?
Before aid, McNeese State University costs about $22,810 a year and Southern University at New Orleans about $23,905. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, McNeese State University or Southern University at New Orleans?
McNeese State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,482 there, against about $14,771 at Southern University at New Orleans. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, McNeese State University or Southern University at New Orleans?
McNeese State University is the larger of the two, with about 5,005 undergraduates against 1,055 at Southern University at New Orleans.
Does McNeese State University or Southern University at New Orleans have a better graduation rate?
McNeese State University has the higher graduation rate, at about 49% against 16% at Southern University at New Orleans.
Do graduates of McNeese State University or Southern University at New Orleans earn more?
McNeese State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $46,453 ten years after enrolling, against about $34,042 for Southern University at New Orleans. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do McNeese State University and Southern University at New Orleans require SAT or ACT scores?
McNeese State University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Southern University at New Orleans requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do McNeese State University and Southern University at New Orleans look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1198 at McNeese State University and 820–1050 at Southern University at New Orleans. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school