Lees-McRae College vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

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

Winston Salem State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lees-McRae College vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University than Lees-McRae College ($12,989 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 24.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,484 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 442.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $27,124 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Winston Salem State University (about $16,468 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Winston Salem State University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 96.6% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($19,774 vs. $10,057).

Lees-McRae College vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 210 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Lees-McRae College vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Winston Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($206 vs. $265).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 33%)

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.