Lees-McRae College vs. WCU

Should I go to Lees McRae College or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lees-McRae College or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU GS
Lees McRae College vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Lees McRae College Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Lees-McRae College WCU
Location Banner Elk, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Distant Rural Distant Town
Enrollment 855 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lmc.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lees-McRae College WCU
Tuition (In State) $26,490 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $26,490 $5,000
Room & Board $12,200 $11,173
Avg Net Price $24,108 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $18,205 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Lees-McRae College WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,733 17,917
Admitted 1,063 15,201
Acceptance Rate 61.3% 84.8%
Enrolled % 19.9% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA - 3.44
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 19/26
SAT Range 1040/1240 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Lees-McRae College WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Lees-McRae College WCU
Graduation Rate 24% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,300 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $206 $227

Diversity

Lees-McRae College WCU
% Men 35% 41%
% Women 65% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 79%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 18% 1%

Students

Lees-McRae College WCU
% In-State 45% 80%
% Out-of-State 50% 18%

Campus

Lees-McRae College WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 855 students)

Lees-McRae College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or WCU?

  • Lees McRae College is 2,549% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($26,490.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 429.8% higher at Lees-McRae College than Western Carolina University ($26,490.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Lees-McRae College ($13,022 vs. $24,108)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 9.2% lower than costs at Lees McRae College ($11,173 vs. $12,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lees McRae College than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 302.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($18,205 vs. $4,526)

Lees-McRae College vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Lees-McRae College .

  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Lees-McRae College (61.3%)

Lees-McRae College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lees-McRae College or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Lees-McRae College.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Lees McRae College (50% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $34,300)
  • Lees McRae College students graduate with a $2,010 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($20,000 vs. $22,010)
  • Lees-McRae College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($206 vs. $227)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/