Lees-McRae College vs. Peace College

Comparable Facts

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

Lees McRae College is larger than Peace College based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); William Peace University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Peace University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; William Peace University 13:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Peace College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Peace 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 William Peace University than Lees-McRae College ($24,216 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Peace University are 17.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,606 vs. $15,200).
• William Peace University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $926 more per year; $34,176.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Peace College than at Lees McRae College (about $926 more per year; $34,176.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Peace University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Peace University students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($24,889 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Peace College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Peace University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Peace College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; William Peace University 1080/1225.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; William Peace University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Peace College - Test optional.
• Peace College has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 17.1% at Peace College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Peace College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• William Peace University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from William Peace University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Peace College graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peace College graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peace College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 49%)

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.