Lake Charles, in south-west Louisiana, is ringed by refineries and LNG terminals, and McNeese State trains a lot of the engineers who run them. The public university was founded in 1939 and is known for chemical engineering, nursing and business. Tuition is low. The campus has been rebuilt and upgraded since Hurricane Laura hit the city in 2020.
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Official website: mcneese.edu
1939
Public university in Louisiana
Gulf Coast energy corridor
$18,000 – $22,000
International students, tuition and fees
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on mcneese.edu before you apply.
BS Chemical Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
Engineering close to major refineries and LNG plants.
Low tuition for international students.
Nursing with clinical placements in local hospitals.
Engineering graduates join petrochemical, LNG and construction firms around Lake Charles and Houston.
Nursing graduates work in hospitals across Louisiana and Texas.
STEM graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Main intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The campus is a short drive south of downtown and the lake itself. Lake Charles mixes Cajun and Creole food, casinos and a big Mardi Gras.
Houston is about two hours west on I-10. Summers are hot and humid, and the region is exposed to hurricanes from June to November.
Form I-20 issued by McNeese State University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
McNeese reviews applications on a rolling basis. International students should apply by spring for fall and by autumn for spring, leaving time for the I-20 and visa.
Students can start in August (fall) or January (spring).
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from McNeese State University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Chemical engineering, the MS in engineering, the MBA, nursing and computer science are popular. Graduate entry needs a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79.
McNeese offers some scholarships and tuition waivers to international students, and graduate assistantships in several departments.
