Location: Lake Charles, LA•In-State Tuition: $8,460•Out-of-State Tuition: $9,960•Admission Rate: 68%•Avg SAT: 1080
Median Earnings (1yr)
$49,216
26th percentile
60th percentile in Louisiana
Median Debt
$27,860
19% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.57 ManageableSample: 27 graduates Limited data

Analysis

McNeese State's finance program shows an unusual pattern: graduates start above Louisiana's median at $49,216, but their earnings drop to $42,641 by year four—a 13% decline that's worth understanding. The good news is that first-year earnings place this program solidly in the middle of Louisiana's finance offerings (60th percentile), outearning programs at UL Lafayette and Southeastern Louisiana. The starting salary also covers the modest $27,860 in debt comfortably, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 that beats most programs nationally.

However, the sample size here is quite small—under 30 graduates—which means these numbers could shift significantly with just a few data points. The earnings decline over four years is particularly concerning and unusual for finance graduates, whose salaries typically rise with experience. This could reflect specific industries or job markets rather than the program itself, but with such a small sample, it's hard to know.

For Louisiana families, this represents a low-cost entry into finance that starts competitively within the state, though it trails considerably behind LSU and especially Tulane. The real question is what drives that earnings drop—if your child plans to stay in the Lake Charles area, research local career trajectories for finance graduates before committing.

Where McNeese State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

McNeese State UniversityOther finance and financial management services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How McNeese State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

McNeese State University earns $49k — 26th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
McNeese State University$49,216$42,641-13%
Tulane University of Louisiana$77,806$89,537+15%
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College$54,408$71,935+32%
Southeastern Louisiana University$40,704$63,542+56%
Louisiana Tech University$42,018$62,932+50%

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
McNeese State UniversityLake Charles$8,460$49,216$42,641$27,8600.57
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans$65,538$77,806$89,537$21,5000.28
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge$11,954$54,408$71,935$19,5000.36
Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston$10,125$42,018$62,932$17,5000.42
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond$8,373$40,704$63,542$15,4380.38
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette$10,418$40,495$46,582$26,4000.65
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At McNeese State University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.