Head-to-head · 2026
McNeese State University vs University of Louisiana at Monroe
Compare average net price ($12,493 at McNeese State University; $13,466 at University of Louisiana at Monroe), ROI score (9.30 vs 8.68), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,453 vs $46,769), and admissions selectivity (78.3% acceptance at McNeese State University; 84.8% at University of Louisiana at Monroe) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | McNeese State University | University of Louisiana at Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.30 ✓ | 8.68 |
| Avg net price | $12,493 ✓ | $13,466 |
| 4-year avg net price | $49,972 ✓ | $53,864 |
| In-state tuition | $8,489 | $9,190 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,989 | $21,290 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,453 | $46,769 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 78.3% | 84.8% |
| Graduation rate | 47% | 54.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 68.4% | 72.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $21,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 5,005 | 5,022 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1087 | 1116 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | McNeese State University | University of Louisiana at Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,482 ✓ | $11,490 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,067 ✓ | $11,553 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,640 ✓ | $12,647 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,190 ✓ | $17,003 |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,250 ✓ | $18,642 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | McNeese State University | University of Louisiana at Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13.1% | 8.4% |
| Psychology, General | 5.9% | 13.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 13.5% | 4.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.2% | 6.4% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 7.3% | 4.5% |
| Biology, General | 3.9% | 3.1% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.9% | 2.5% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 0.4% | 4.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
McNeese State University reports the lower average net price by $973 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,892 difference over four years ($49,972 vs $53,864).
University of Louisiana at Monroe reports $316 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,769 vs $46,453). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 68.4% at McNeese State University and 72.8% at University of Louisiana at Monroe. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $21,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
McNeese State University vs University of Louisiana at Monroe, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
McNeese State University is cheaper — average net price $12,493 per year vs $13,466 at University of Louisiana at Monroe. The annual difference of $973 adds up to about $3,892 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Louisiana at Monroe reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,769 vs $46,453 at McNeese State University. The gap in the federal data is $316. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
McNeese State University is more selective at 78.3% acceptance vs 84.8% at University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.