Differential Tuition Policy 

Pursuant to Act No. 790 of the 2024 Louisiana State Legislature Regular Session, McNeese State University has implemented differential tuition for graduate programs and undergraduate programs that have been identified as high-cost programs. According to the state policy, proposals for differential tuition may be entertained by the University of Louisiana System, and, along with university-assessed mandatory fees, may only increase by no more than ten percent over any two-year period.  

Purpose 

This policy establishes guidelines to eliminate ambiguity in how differential tuition is applied and the timeline for billing commitments.  

Scope 

This policy applies to undergraduate and graduate students and does not apply to dual enrollment programs or any special programs that have a flat rate. 

Applicable Programs 

In alignment with the Louisiana Board of Regents’ determination of high-cost programs, the following degree programs at McNeese are subject to differential tuition rates:

• All Graduate Programs 
• Accounting 
• Agricultural Sciences 
• Art 
• Biological Science 
• Business Administration 
• Chemical Engineering 
• Chemistry 
• Computer Science 
• Engineering 
• Finance 
• Health Systems Management 
• Humanities, with a concentration in Theatre Arts 
• Kinesiology 
• Liquefied Natural Gas Business 
• Management 
• Marketing 
• Mass Communication 
• Mathematical Science 
• Mechanical Engineering 
• Medical Laboratory Science 
• Music 
• Natural Resource Conservation Management 
• Nursing 
• Nursing, LPN to BSN 
• Radiologic Sciences 
• Radiologic Sciences, RT to BS 

Concentrations within each major are included. Should a student be enrolled in two or more degree programs and one of those programs is subject to differential tuition rates, a differential tuition rate will be billed.  

Registration 

Students in differential tuition degree programs will register for classes according to the university’s registration schedule. 

Differential Tuition Determination Dates 

For purposes of assessing differential tuition, a student’s declared major as of the dates below will determine whether the differential tuition rate applies for the corresponding academic term. 

·       Spring Term: October 1 

·       Summer Term: March 1 

·       Fall Term: July 1 

Deadline to Change Majors

To have a change of major considered for differential tuition purposes, students must submit the change by the day before the applicable determination dates above. 

Students whose declared major on the determination date is a differential tuition degree program will be assessed the differential tuition rate for that term. Students who register after the determination dates and are enrolled in a differential tuition degree program will also be assessed the differential tuition rate for that term. 

The “Student Billing and Recording” and “Student Accounts Receivable” sections of the Accounts Receivable Policy apply to differential tuition. 

Financial aid calculations are adjusted to consider differential tuition rates when students are awarded.  

Exceptions and Special Circumstances 

Any exceptions or special circumstances not depicted in this policy are at the discretion of the Executive Leadership Team. 

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.