Lees-McRae College vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

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

Washington & Jefferson College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,309 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College than Lees-McRae College ($22,702 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington & Jefferson College are 3.2% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,710 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 13.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than W&J (about $3,858 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $3,858 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($20,152 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. W&J Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at W&J (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; W&J - Test-free.
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 12.6% at W&J.

Lees-McRae College vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 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 W&J graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.