LEC vs. Tusculum University

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Erie College is larger than Tusculum University based on total student enrollment (1,108 students vs. 1,103 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Erie College is located in Painesville, OH (Large Suburban setting); Tusculum University is in Greeneville, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Lake Erie College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tusculum University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Erie College 12:1; Tusculum University 18:1.

LEC vs. Tusculum University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LEC or Tusculum 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 Tusculum University than LEC ($20,355 vs. $22,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tusculum University are 15.6% lower than at Lake Erie College ($11,000 vs. $13,036).
• Lake Erie College is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tusculum University (about $8,384 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $29,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.7% higher at LEC than at Tusculum University (about $8,384 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $29,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Erie College than at Tusculum University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 17.3% larger than aid received by Tusculum University students ($27,879 vs. $23,759).

LEC vs. Tusculum University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LEC or Tusculum 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 Tusculum University and LEC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Erie College (1030) is 20 points higher than at Tusculum University (1010).
• Incoming LEC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Tusculum University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Erie College 945/1115; Tusculum University 910/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Erie College 18/24; Tusculum University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LEC - Test-free; Tusculum University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LEC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LEC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Tusculum University (3.18).
• Tusculum University has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than LEC (70.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at LEC vs. 16.4% at Tusculum University.

LEC vs. Tusculum University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LEC and Tusculum 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 Tusculum University's (38%).
• Graduates from Tusculum University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than LEC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tusculum University and LEC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Tusculum University and LEC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More LEC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tusculum University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 52%)

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.