Lees-McRae College vs. Point Park University

Comparable Facts

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

Point Park University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (3,448 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Point Park University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Park University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Point Park University 12:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Point Park University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Point Park 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 Point Park University than Lees-McRae College ($26,502 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Park University are 8.2% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,960 vs. $15,200).
• Point Park University is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $6,320 more per year; $39,570.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at Point Park University than at Lees McRae College (about $6,320 more per year; $39,570.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Park University than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Point Park University students is 32.3% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($26,159 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Point Park University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or Point Park 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 Point Park University and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is the same as at Point Park University (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Point Park University (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Point Park University 1035/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Point Park University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Point Park University - Test-free.
• Point Park University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 10.2% at Point Park University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Point Park University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Point Park 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).

• Point Park University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Point Park University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 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 Point Park University graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Point Park University graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Point Park University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

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.