Lees-McRae College vs. University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Johnstown is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,813 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 Johnstown is in Johnstown, PA (Small Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 14:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown? 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 Johnstown than Lees-McRae College ($18,452 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown are 14.9% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,940 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 123.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (about $18,344 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $14,906.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.2% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown (about $6,470 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $26,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown than at Lees McRae College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 62% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Johnstown students ($19,774 vs. $12,209).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 40 points higher than at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (1100).
• Incoming University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown 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; University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 985/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown - Test optional.
• University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 17.8% at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown.

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

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown? 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 Johnstown's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Johnstown 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-Johnstown 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-Johnstown graduates ($206 vs. $278).
• More University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown 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.