Lesley University vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, MA with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; William Woods University 16:1.

Lesley University vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University or WWU? 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 Woods University than Lesley University ($27,092 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Woods University are 34.5% lower than at Lesley University ($13,050 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WWU (about $3,916 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $30,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Lesley University than at William Woods University (about $3,916 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $30,340.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at William Woods University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($22,204 vs. $19,167).

Lesley University vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and Lesley University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman WWU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 23.6% at WWU.

Lesley University vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• William Woods University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates of Lesley University and WWU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $38,600), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $2,883 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($21,437 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($221 vs. $251).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 63%)

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.