WCU vs. Lee University

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Lee University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Lee University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Carolina University vs. Lee University comparison
Western Carolina University Lee University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Lee University
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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
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)

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/