LEC vs. Nelson University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Erie College in Painesville, OH with Nelson University in Waxahachie, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nelson University is larger than LEC based on total student enrollment (1,794 students vs. 1,108 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Erie College is located in Painesville, OH (Large Suburban setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Lake Erie College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Erie College 12:1; Nelson University 15:1.

LEC vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LEC or Nelson University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Nelson University than LEC ($22,359 vs. $22,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nelson University are 26.4% lower than at Lake Erie College ($9,598 vs. $13,036).
• Lake Erie College is 50.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nelson University (about $12,570 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $25,064.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at LEC than at Nelson University (about $12,570 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $25,064.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Erie College than at Nelson University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 130.9% larger than aid received by Nelson University students ($27,879 vs. $12,075).

LEC vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LEC or Nelson University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Nelson University and LEC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Erie College (1030) is 40 points higher than at Nelson University (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Erie College 945/1115; Nelson University 890/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Erie College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LEC - Test-free; Nelson University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: LEC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LEC students have the same average high school GPA (3.19) as students at Nelson University (3.19).
• Nelson University has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than LEC (70.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at LEC vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

LEC vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LEC and Nelson University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lake Erie College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Nelson University's (37%).
• Graduates from Nelson University earn a median of about $300 more per year than LEC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,900 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nelson University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than LEC graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Nelson University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LEC graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More LEC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nelson University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.