Lees-McRae College vs. Marywood

Comparable Facts

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

Marywood University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,530 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lees-McRae College vs. Marywood Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Marywood? 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 Marywood University than Lees-McRae College ($26,217 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 3.8% lower than at Marywood University ($15,200 vs. $15,800).
• Marywood University is 24.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $8,170 more per year; $41,420.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Marywood than at Lees McRae College (about $8,170 more per year; $41,420.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marywood University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marywood University students is 49.6% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($29,574 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Marywood Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marywood University (1160) is 20 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Marywood students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Marywood University 1060/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Marywood University 18/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Marywood - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Marywood (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 17.1% at Marywood.

Lees-McRae College vs. Marywood Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Marywood University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Marywood University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Marywood graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marywood graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Marywood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.