Lees-McRae College vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or UNCW? 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 University of North Carolina Wilmington than Lees-McRae College ($18,976 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 6.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,268 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 356.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $25,973 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $9,098 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (97% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 196.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($19,774 vs. $6,674).

Lees-McRae College vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 150 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 21% at UNCW.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of North Carolina Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 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 UNCW graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.