Lees-McRae College vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

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

Westminster College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,191 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Westminster College 12:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Westminster College? 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 Westminster College than Lees-McRae College ($20,394 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 15.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,880 vs. $15,200).
• Westminster College is 21.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $7,040 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Westminster College than at Lees McRae College (about $7,040 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($32,553 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westminster College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Westminster College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 12.1% at Westminster College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Westminster College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 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 Westminster College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.