Lees-McRae College vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chatham University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Chatham University 10:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Chatham? 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 Lees McRae College than Chatham ($29,833 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 10.5% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,600 vs. $15,200).
• Chatham University is 34.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $11,376 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.2% higher at Chatham than at Lees McRae College (about $11,376 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 52.2% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($30,095 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or Chatham? 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 Chatham and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 40 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Chatham students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Chatham - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Lees-McRae College vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Chatham? 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Chatham University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Chatham graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chatham graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 55%)

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.