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Is McNeese State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for McNeese State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
McNeese State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $46,453 helps, but median debt of $23,000 plus yearly net price of $12,493 creates a tighter path. For context, McNeese State's net price is about 13% below the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$11,393
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $1,762 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $7,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$12,493
Median earnings 10 years out
$46,453
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
Graduation rate
49%
At McNeese State, a typical graduate carries about $23,000 in student debt and earns roughly $46,453 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $262 per month, or 7% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
McNeese State is a public four year school in Lake Charles, LA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Worth-It Score: 59/100
Median net price: $12,384
Public 4-year
Nicholls State
Thibodaux, LA
Worth-It Score: 64/100
Median net price: $12,947
Public 4-year
Southeastern Louisiana
Hammond, LA
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $13,154
Public 4-year
Louisiana Tech
Ruston, LA
Worth-It Score: 70/100
Median net price: $11,864
Public 4-year
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, LA
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $13,466
Common questions about McNeese State
The median net price at McNeese State is $12,493 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Louisiana? See the most affordable public universities in Louisiana →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →