Lees-McRae College vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Wesleyan University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (980 students vs. 910 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or SWU? 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 Southern Wesleyan University than Lees-McRae College ($20,134 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 33.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($10,126 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $3,450 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $3,450 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($19,774 vs. $19,498).

Lees-McRae College vs. SWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Lees McRae College 20/26; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; SWU - Test optional.
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Lees-McRae College vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 50%)

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.