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McNeese State University

#642 in US ranking Lake Charles, LA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$21,410
Tuition & fees
$11,267
Avg. aid
$8,418
Receiving aid
93%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
78%
SAT range
940–1198
ACT range
18–23

Outcomes

Graduation rate
47%
Median salary
$46,563
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of McNeese State University?

McNeese State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is different from accreditation of an individual degree program.

Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when students seek to transfer credit or enter graduate study. It does not, by itself, require another college to accept a particular course. Applicants to fields such as engineering, nursing, education, or other licensed professions should also check the specific program's current accreditation or state approval and the licensing rules where they intend to work. Those requirements can be narrower than university-wide accreditation.

What are the admission requirements at McNeese State University?

First-time applicants generally need to submit McNeese's undergraduate application and evidence of high school completion or an accepted equivalent. Secondary-school GPA and completion of a college-preparatory curriculum are part of the admissions record; McNeese does not have an open-admission policy.

Reported admissions criteria treat SAT or ACT scores as considered rather than universally required, and recommendations are neither required nor recommended. That distinction is important: a score may help an applicant or be needed for placement, scholarships, or a particular pathway without being mandatory for every admission decision. Applicants educated outside the United States may also have to document English proficiency; TOEFL is identified as a required credential for applicants to whom that requirement applies.

In the reported first-year admissions group, McNeese admitted about 78% of applicants. The median composite ACT score among enrolled students who submitted scores was 22, but a median is not an admission cutoff. Requirements can differ for international, graduate, and selective-program applicants. Before applying, check the current term's deadlines and whether a chosen major has separate prerequisites or an additional application.

What are the application fees and waivers at McNeese State University?

The reported undergraduate application fee is $20. An application fee is a charge to process an application, not an enrollment deposit or a tuition payment.

Applicants should confirm the charge shown in McNeese's current application before submitting it, particularly if they are applying as graduate or international students. Anyone who needs a waiver should ask admissions how to establish eligibility before paying; a fee should not be assumed refundable after submission. Fee-waiver rules and application methods can vary by applicant category.

What types of ROTC programs are available at McNeese State University?

Students interested in ROTC should confirm their branch and participation arrangement with McNeese before building it into an enrollment plan. ROTC participation through a cooperating institution, when offered, is different from a unit that conducts its full program on the McNeese campus.

Ask the university and the relevant Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC program where classes and physical training take place, whether cross-enrollment is permitted, and how the schedule fits a McNeese major. Scholarship eligibility, medical and fitness standards, commissioning requirements, and any subsequent service obligation are governed by the applicable military program; attending a university does not automatically enroll a student in ROTC or confer a scholarship.

What are the requirements for transfer students at McNeese State University?

McNeese accepts transfer applicants and generally considers coursework from other accredited colleges. Transfer students may enter in fall, spring, or summer, but admission to the university and acceptance of particular credits toward a major are separate decisions.

A transfer applicant should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended. Depending on the number of transferable credits completed and the applicant's circumstances, high school records or first-year admission criteria may also be relevant. McNeese reports accepting certain credits based on CLEP subject examinations, DSST examinations, and American Council on Education recommendations; these are subject to university rules and degree applicability.

Before leaving another institution, ask McNeese for an official evaluation showing which courses transfer, which satisfy general education or major requirements, and which count only as electives. Students entering nursing, education, engineering, or another structured major should also check program-specific admission standards and any minimum number of credits that must be completed at McNeese to earn its degree.

What types of study abroad programs are available at McNeese State University?

Students considering study abroad should begin with McNeese's international education staff and their academic adviser. The central planning question is whether a particular overseas course or program will count toward the student's McNeese degree.

Opportunities may differ by term, destination, major, and whether instruction is arranged by McNeese or an outside provider. Before committing to a semester, summer, or shorter program, students should obtain academic approval, compare the full program budget with a normal semester, and ask the financial aid office which grants, loans, or scholarships can apply. Passport, visa, insurance, and travel requirements also need to be resolved well before departure.

McNeese State University Admissions Factors

SAT range
940–1198
4001600
ACT range
18–23
136
Acceptance rate
78%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
78%
Louisiana
78%
US
78%

38% of admitted students enrolled (1,166 of 3,054)

McNeese State University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 3,902
Admission
Total: 3,054
Enrolled
Total: 1,166
Women
Men

How to Apply to McNeese State University

Regular application deadline

August 1

Application fee

$20

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

McNeese State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 978
Out-of-state: 84
International: 103

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,166
Transfer: 369

McNeese State University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1080

Median composite ACT score

22

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

86%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

7%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Considered but not required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

McNeese State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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