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Accolades & Awards

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Current McNeese State University Rankings

McNeese State University has been named:

  • the #3 best school in Louisiana by Best Value Schools. (2021) 
  • in the Top 5 among public and private Louisiana universities for Best Average Starting Salary and Best College Education Value.  
  • #4 among Louisiana colleges for both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs by University HQ. (2022) 
  • #8 Best Colleges in Louisiana by Intelligent.com. (2022) 
  • a Hidden Gem College in the Southeast by College Raptor. (2022)
  • one of the Best Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report for twelve consecutive years. 

National Program Rankings

Here’s how McNeese bachelor’s and master’s degree programs rank in comparison to the thousands of degree programs offered nationwide:

Education

  • Our Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education is ranked
    • #31 in affordability by University HQ (2022)   

Liberal Arts

Psychology

  • The Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology program at McNeese is ranked
    • Top 15 in affordability by University HQ (2022)
    • Top 15 by besthealthdegree.com (2022) 
    • No. 6 among the Top 40 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Psychology Programs of 2021 by Best Colleges Online
    • Top 25 by Intelligent.com. (2022) 

Nursing

  • Our online RN-to-BSN program ranked:
    • #31 in affordability by University HQ. (2022) 
    • #51 by Intelligent.com (2022)
    • #56 in affordability by University HQ. (2022) 

Engineering

Professional School Acceptance Rates and Exam Passage Rates

Liberal Arts

  • 81% of McNeese graduates who applied to law school were admitted. 

Health Professions

  • 70% of McNeese graduates who applied to medical school were admitted. 
  • 90% of graduates majoring in pre-physical therapy are accepted into physical and occupational therapy programs. 
  • 100% of medical laboratory science graduates are hired in a laboratory, with 78% of graduates accepting an offer before commencement.  
  • Since the program began in 1978, radiological sciences graduates have a 97% passage rate on the National Certification Examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 

Psychology

Nursing

  • The Spring 2021 nursing graduates scored a perfect 100% passage rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).  
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Athletics

  •  McNeese Athletics has been the highest ranked Southland Conference program of the five Louisiana member schools for the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup for 10 consecutive years.  
  • McNeese has won a total of 52 Southland Conference Championships during its history in the league, tied as the third-most ever won by a school and the most by a Louisiana member. 
  • McNeese holds the conference record for most championships won in football (14) and softball (6) and has the second-most titles in men’s basketball (6) and men’s cross country (8). 
  • National Championship finals appearances for 28 consecutive years. 
  • Men’s team finished as 2020 Southern Region champions and the women’s team finished as reserve region champions.  
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