Lees-McRae College vs. Wheeling University

Comparable Facts

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

Lees McRae College is larger than Wheeling University based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Wheeling University is in Wheeling, WV (Small City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheeling University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Wheeling University 15:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Wheeling University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Wheeling University? 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 Wheeling University than Lees-McRae College ($21,073 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheeling University are 18% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,470 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheeling University (about $3,375 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,875.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Wheeling University (about $3,375 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,875.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheeling University than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheeling University students is 10.9% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($21,931 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Wheeling University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 70 points higher than at Wheeling University (1070).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Wheeling University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Wheeling University 950/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Wheeling University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Wheeling University - Test-free.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Wheeling University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 10.2% at Wheeling University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Wheeling University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wheeling University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Wheeling University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 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 Wheeling University graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheeling University graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Wheeling University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.