Columbus State vs McNeese State

Columbus State University and McNeese State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to students seeking academic excellence. While they share similarities, there are also distinct differences between the two universities. Columbus State, located in Columbus, Georgia, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students. McNeese State, situated in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. Additionally, the student body demographics vary, with Columbus State having a larger undergraduate population and McNeese State having a higher percentage of graduate students. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and goals.
Columbus State University logo

Columbus State University

McNeese State University logo

McNeese State University

Overview

Location Columbus, Georgia Lake Charles, Louisiana
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 61.0% 69.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 78.5% 68.8%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $20
SAT range 870 - 1130 990 - 1170
ACT range 18 - 24 20 - 24
Students submitting SAT score 10.0% 9.0%
Students submitting ACT score 11.0% 92.0%
Total number of applicants 5,275 2,599
Total number of admissions given out 4,142 1,787
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,205 1,020
Yield rate 29.1% 57.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,563

Out of state: $34,617
In state: $24,802

Out of state: $32,840
Average net price $13,571 $10,487
Tuition
In state: $4,371

Out of state: $15,425
In state: $5,147

Out of state: $13,185
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,228

Meal plan: $4,400
Room/dormitory: $5,526

Meal plan: $3,818
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

94.0%
Average amount $7,234
94.0%
Average amount $10,030
Students receiving federal student loan 50.0%
Average amount $4,926
30.0%
Average amount $4,643
Students taking out private loans 10.0%
Average amount $7,458
1.0%
Average amount $9,603

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 6,403
Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
5,893
Men 38.6% Women 61.4%
Graduate students 1,495
Men 32.6% Women 67.4%
561
Men 25.0% Women 75.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 5.6% 6.3%
International students 1.7% 5.2%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,467 1,037
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Georgia Alabama Florida Texas Ohio Louisiana Texas California Mississippi Indiana

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Engineering
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 19:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 42.7% 42.2%
Dropout rate 20.9% 23.6%
Transferred out 32.0% 30.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,649
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $76,343
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $67,553
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,327
  • Year 2: $70,009
  • Year 3: $66,828
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,668
  • Year 2: $54,852
  • Year 3: $65,564
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,920
  • Year 2: $56,169
  • Year 3: $61,330
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,251
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: $60,599
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,949
  • Year 2: $51,106
  • Year 3: $58,076
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $48,041
  • Year 3: $51,075
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,483
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $50,572
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,256
  • Year 2: $46,478
  • Year 3: $50,084
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,390
  • Year 2: $96,345
  • Year 3: $105,678
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,056
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $76,973
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,639
  • Year 2: $58,104
  • Year 3: $60,913
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,618
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $60,301
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $54,252
  • Year 3: $58,599
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,302
  • Year 2: $48,139
  • Year 3: $47,981
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,245
  • Year 2: $44,835
  • Year 3: $46,186
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $46,673
  • Year 3: $44,792
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,269
  • Year 2: $43,240
  • Year 3: $44,695
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,474
  • Year 2: $38,829
  • Year 3: $42,799

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