Cost & financial aid brief
McNeese State University Tuition, Costs & Financial Aid
How much does McNeese State University cost after financial aid?
Aid covers about 45% of the published cost for the average aid recipient, bringing the sticker price of $22,810 down to an average net price of $12,493. The pattern across income bands is relatively flat.
The lowest-income band averages $10,482 while the highest band averages $18,250, a spread of $7,768 between the two ends. That narrow spread means the pricing structure does not shift dramatically as family income increases.
The published cost of attendance at McNeese State University is $22,810. Azimuth ranks the university #278 for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
After grants and scholarships, the average net price for aid recipients from families earning under $30,000 is $10,482, for those earning $48,001 to $75,000 it is $11,640, and for those earning over $110,000 it is $18,250. The spread between the lowest and highest bands is $7,768.
In-state tuition and fees are $8,489, and out-of-state students pay $9,989. The average aid recipient saves $10,317 off the sticker price.
The average net price across all aid recipients is $12,493, which is $1,575 below the $14,068 median for comparable institutions (same type and size). Borrowers who finish carry a median of $23,000 in federal student loans.
That is $1,771 above the peer median of $21,229. 76.1% of federal aid recipients take federal loans.
Parents who borrow hold a separate median of $13,410 in Parent PLUS loans. If repaid over ten years, the median federal student debt corresponds to an estimated payment of $261 a month.
It estimates what a family at a given income might pay and borrow, using the same federal data.
Student loans: what does repayment look like?
Federal-loan borrowers who complete at McNeese State University leave with a median of $23,000. Among comparable institutions (same type and size), the peer median is $21,229, making the university's figure $1,771 above it.
Parent borrowers are a separate population, with median Parent PLUS borrowing of $13,410.
McNeese State University records a median of $53,563 four years after completion for federally aided graduates who are working and not enrolled. That is $3,738 below the $57,301 median for comparable institutions (same type and size).
Azimuth places that median at the 28th percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,099 less than expects for similar students.
That outcome falls at the 39th percentile. Earnings scenarios are estimated from the program mix, not observed groups.
They span a typical path of $53,563, a downside of $42,215 and an upside of $91,865. Those who borrow and finish hold a median of $23,000 in federal debt, $1,771 above the $21,229 median for comparable institutions (same type and size).
That debt corresponds to an estimated payment of $261 a month if repaid over ten years.
For the separate population of parent borrowers, median Parent PLUS borrowing is $13,410. For student borrowers, that debt corresponds to an estimated payment of $261 a month if repaid over ten years.
Repayment figures are in the Financial GPS card below. Borrowing populations and model assumptions.
Parent loans: what can the family afford?
How Parent PLUS borrowing affects families
- Median Parent PLUS debt
- $13,410
- Estimated parent payment
- $170/mo
| Household income | Share of income above basic expenses | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | No room | High pressure |
| $50,000 | No room | High pressure |
| $75,000 | 10.0% | Caution |
| $100,000 | 4.5% | Safe |
| $150,000 | 2.1% | Safe |
| $200,000 | 1.4% | Safe |
The 10-year payment on the median Parent PLUS balance, as a share of household income above basic expenses ($54,640 a year: 200% of the 2026 federal poverty guideline for a household of three). No room is High pressure. Open the parent tool for your own numbers. Read the assumptions and limits.
Student and parent loans: the monthly payments
Financial GPS
What does repayment look like?
- Institution median student debt
- $23,000
- Institution Parent PLUS debt
- $13,410
Federal loans only; private or institutional loans aren’t included.
- Estimated student payment · monthly
- $261/mo
- Estimated Parent PLUS payment · monthly
- $170/mo
- Modeled student + parent payments
- $431/mo
Payments use school-wide median balances, not a specific major’s.
Student payment as a share of available income
At median graduate earnings of $53,563, with a $23,940 annual allowance for basic expenses:
10.6% of income above the allowance · Good
- Excellent Under 8%
- Good 8–under 12% · selected scenario
- Concerning 12–20%
- High risk Over 20%
How this estimate works
These are modeled earnings scenarios, not observed earnings percentiles. Annual student payments ÷ (earnings − basic-expense allowance). The starting allowance, $23,940, uses the published framework’s 2026 baseline; it is not a current local living-cost estimate. Change it for your budget, including taxes and other obligations. This combines school-level figures for illustration, not a typical individual’s budget or an official school rating. Parent PLUS is separate.
Payment assumptions
Payments are 10-year standard payments on the median balance, before loan fees, used as a yardstick. Rates for newly issued loans may differ, and loans made after July 1, 2026 can repay over a longer term; existing loans keep their original fixed rates.
Data & methodology
Sources and reporting periods: methodology.
Analysis and methodology by Daniel Rogers, founder of College Azimuth.
Explanatory text is AI-assisted drafting checked against those figures; it is not an additional data source.
Figure notes link to sources and limitations. About College Azimuth.
Net price and borrowing. The 2023–24 income-band averages include living costs and cover eligible first-time, full-time aid recipients; public-school figures reflect in-state tuition. They are not individual aid offers. Peer matching supplies overall net prices, not matched income-band averages. College Scorecard data and documentation.
A personal student-risk assessment also needs your major and borrowing plan; these school-level illustrations do not assign you a personal risk zone.
Payments are 10-year standard payments on the median balance, before loan fees, used as a yardstick. Rates for newly issued loans may differ, and loans made after July 1, 2026 can repay over a longer term; existing loans keep their original fixed rates. Private-loan figures from the Common Data Set are separate from these federal repayment illustrations.