McNeese State vs University of West Alabama (UWA)

McNeese State University and the University of West Alabama, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. McNeese State, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, boasts a higher acceptance rate (86%) compared to the University of West Alabama's 78% in Livingston, Alabama. While McNeese State's student body is more diverse, with a larger international student population, the University of West Alabama has a slightly higher graduation rate (53% vs. 51%). Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
McNeese State University logo

McNeese State University

University of West Alabama logo

University of West Alabama

Overview

Location Lake Charles, Louisiana Livingston, Alabama
Campus setting City: Small Rural: Remote
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 69.0% 63.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 68.8% 74.3%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $20
Undergraduate: $30

Graduate: $40
SAT range 990 - 1170 880 - 980
ACT range 20 - 24 17 - 21
Students submitting SAT score 9.0% 2.0%
Students submitting ACT score 92.0% 69.0%
Total number of applicants 2,599 1,539
Total number of admissions given out 1,787 1,144
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,020 351
Yield rate 57.1% 30.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not 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: $24,802

Out of state: $32,840
In state: $22,911

Out of state: $32,011
Average net price $10,487 $15,435
Tuition
In state: $5,147

Out of state: $13,185
In state: $9,100

Out of state: $18,200
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,526

Meal plan: $3,818
Room/dormitory: $4,760

Meal plan: $2,834
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

94.0%
Average amount $10,030
89.0%
Average amount $7,129
Students receiving federal student loan 30.0%
Average amount $4,643
65.0%
Average amount $5,418
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $9,603
3.0%
Average amount $8,357

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 5,893
Men 38.6% Women 61.4%
2,322
Men 30.6% Women 69.4%
Graduate students 561
Men 25.0% Women 75.0%
3,272
Men 20.0% Women 80.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 6.3% N/A
International students 5.2% 2.0%
Campus local/setting City: Small Rural: Remote
Dormitory capacity 1,037 1,019
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Louisiana Texas California Mississippi Indiana N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Engineering
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Communication and Journalism
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 14:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 42.2% 39.1%
Dropout rate 23.6% 21.5%
Transferred out 30.0% 36.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
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
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,363
  • Year 2: $61,681
  • Year 3: $64,667
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,130
  • Year 2: $53,942
  • Year 3: $55,799
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,682
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $54,452
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,975
  • Year 2: $48,510
  • Year 3: $51,622
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,470
  • Year 2: $46,380
  • Year 3: $48,647
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,701
  • Year 2: $46,261
  • Year 3: $47,958
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,803
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $47,734
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,054
  • Year 3: $35,960
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,711
  • Year 3: N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,983
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: N/A

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