Northwestern College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern College or Lees-McRae 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 Northwestern College than Lees-McRae College ($26,347 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 28.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($10,900 vs. $15,200).
• Northwestern College is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $3,460 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Northwestern College than at Lees McRae College (about $3,460 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern College students is 19% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($23,537 vs. $19,774).

Northwestern College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 50 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Northwestern College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Lees-McRae College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 940/1240; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern College 20/27; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern College - Test-free; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at Northwestern College vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Northwestern College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northwestern College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Northwestern College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,092 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,092).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($206 vs. $259).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.