Lees-McRae College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than Lees-McRae College ($13,767 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 18.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,354 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 618.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $28,620 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 285.3% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Western Carolina University (about $24,620 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Western Carolina University (97% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 230% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($19,774 vs. $5,993).

Lees-McRae College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 40 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Lees-McRae College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $2,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.