Lake Charles, LA · Private University
Is McNeese State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$46,453
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,460
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$9,960
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$39,840
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.66x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
52.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,257
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
McNeese State University graduates earn $1,453 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at McNeese State University ranked by graduate earnings
83 graduates
119 graduates
34 graduates
21 graduates
52 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at McNeese State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At McNeese State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Engineering, General: $91,074) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $20,618) is $70,456/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering, GeneralBest ROI | $91,074 | 9.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,112 | 6.6x |
| Biology, General | $58,995 | 5.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,761 | 4.9x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $44,948 | 4.5x |
| Agriculture, General | $43,463 | 4.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,641 | 4.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,879 | 4.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,410 | 4.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,789 | 4.1x |
| Sociology | $38,132 | 3.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,391 | 3.8x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,581 | 3.7x |
| Psychology, General | $36,536 | 3.7x |
| Music(1yr data) | $36,305 | 3.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,536 | 3.6x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest | $20,618 | 2.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
McNeese State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $46,453 10 years after starting, $1,453 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.