Lees-McRae College vs. University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Greensburg is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,321 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 Pittsburgh Greensburg is in Greensburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of Pittsburgh Greensburg 14:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg? 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 Pittsburgh Greensburg than Lees-McRae College ($18,365 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Greensburg are 13.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,120 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 126% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg (about $18,540 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $14,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of Pittsburgh Greensburg (about $6,666 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $26,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of Pittsburgh Greensburg (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 55.9% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Greensburg students ($19,774 vs. $12,681).

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg? 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 University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Greensburg (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of Pittsburgh Greensburg 1055/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of Pittsburgh Greensburg 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg - Test optional.
• University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 17.4% at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg? 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 Pittsburgh Greensburg's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,909 lower median loan debt than University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg graduates ($206 vs. $278).
• More University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.