Lake Charles, LA · Public

McNeese State University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

McNeese State University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$22,810
Net Price$12,493
Median Earnings$46,453
Graduation Rate47%
Median Debt$13,000
Admission Rate78.3%
Student Count5,005
SAT Average1,087

McNeese State University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $12,493
Money available $0
Still needed per year $12,493
Monthly gap $1,041

Four-year projection: about $49,972 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $13,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$46,453Total cost$22,810Net price$12,493Median debt$13,000

Value Score Comparison

McNeese State University54.6Dataset avg54.3LA avg52.3
Median earnings17% weaker than dataset average
$46,453
Total annual cost47% better than dataset average
$22,810
Average net price42% better than dataset average
$12,493
Graduation rate9.8 percentage points weaker than dataset average
47%
Median debt20% better than dataset average
$13,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

LA Average

Value Score: 52.3

Net Price: $16,599

Earnings: $48,510

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $12,493, compared with reported total cost of $22,810.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $46,453 and the graduation rate is 47%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $13,000, while the loan share is 32.1%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 78.3% and Pell Grant share is 34.6%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationLake Charles, LA
Admission Rate78.3%
In-State Tuition$8,489
Out-of-State Tuition$9,989
Total Cost$22,810
Net Price$12,493
Median Earnings$46,453
Graduation Rate47%
Median Debt$13,000
Pell Grant Share34.6%
Loan Share32.1%
Average Faculty Salary$7,591
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 18.6 + graduation 11.8 + net price 10.8 + total cost 7.1 + debt 6.3 = 54.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings18.6$46,453 · max 40 pts
Graduation11.847% · max 25 pts
Net Price10.8$12,493 · max 15 pts
Total Cost7.1$22,810 · max 10 pts
Debt6.3$13,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.