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ECU ASU Liberty University UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke Samford University| Western Carolina University | Lee University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
WCU | Lee University | ||
| Location | Cullowhee, NC | Cleveland, TN | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 3,927 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #763 | #787 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Church of God | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcu.edu | leeuniversity.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WCU | Lee University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,000 | $21,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $5,000 | $21,000 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,173 | $8,840 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,022 | $19,726 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,526 | $14,042 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 96% |
Admission |
WCU | Lee University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,917 | 2,014 | ||
| Admitted | 15,201 | 1,462 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 72.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 35.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.44 | 3.73 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 19/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1240 | 1010/1240 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Mar 1, 2025 |
Academics |
WCU | Lee University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WCU | Lee University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 49% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,100 | $37,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,010 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $279 |
Diversity |
WCU | Lee University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 39% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 61% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 79% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 1% | ||
| % International | 1% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 4% |
Students |
WCU | Lee University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 48% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 50% | ||
Campus |
WCU | Lee University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Carolina University is larger than than Lee University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 3,927 students)
WCU vs. Lee University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WCU or Lee University?
- Lee University is 2,000% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($21,000.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 320% higher at Lee University than Western Carolina University ($21,000.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Lee University ($13,022 vs. $19,726)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 26.4% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($8,840 vs. $11,173)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Lee University (99% vs. 96%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Lee University students is 210.3% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($14,042 vs. $4,526)
WCU vs. Lee University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Lee University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Lee University or WCU .
- The average SAT score at Lee University (1088) is 56 points higher than at WCU (1032)
- Incoming Lee University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WCU (22)
- Accepted freshman Lee University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at WCU (3.44)
- WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Lee University (72.6%)
WCU vs. Lee University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WCU or Lee University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Lee University and WCU.
- The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Lee University (50% vs. 49%)
- Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $2,000 more per year than Lee University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $37,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
- WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
- More Lee University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/