McNeese State University
![](/Images/godic/202501/26/McNeese_State_University_seal0125.png")
![Statue of John McNeese on the campus. McNeese, a regional pioneer educator, is the namesake of the university.](/Images/godic/202501/26/John_McNeese20125.jpg")
![The President's Home](/Images/godic/202501/26/Phillipwilliams20125.jpg")
![The Quadrangle looking toward the Student Union, also known as The Ranch](/Images/godic/202501/26/Quad_msu20125.jpg")
McNeese State University is a public regional university located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in the United States. Founded in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College, it was renamed McNeese Junior College after John McNeese, an early local educator. The present name was adopted in 1970. McNeese is part of the University of Louisiana System and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Master's University. U.S. News and World Report designates McNeese as a Tier One South Regional University. The selective admissions university consists of six colleges and the Doré School of Graduate Studies. McNeese is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and all programs of study are accredited by their respective national boards.