Lees-McRae College vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Lees-McRae College ($15,169 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 4.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,582 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 229.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $23,146 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Lees-McRae College than at West Virginia University (about $4,642 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at West Virginia University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 59.9% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($19,774 vs. $12,363).

Lees-McRae College vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 20 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WVU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; WVU - Test optional.
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Lees-McRae College vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $4,001 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.