Lees-McRae College vs. WCU

Lees McRae College and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Lees McRae College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lees-McRae College (76.8% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1140 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $29,833 at Lees-McRae College.
  • Graduation: Lees-McRae College 24% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lees-McRae College $34,300 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Lees McRae College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Lees-McRae College more selective
Lees-McRae College76.8%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Lees-McRae College1040-1240
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $16,066 less
Lees-McRae College$29,833
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $28,620 less
Lees-McRae College$33,250
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $24,620 less
Lees-McRae College$33,250
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +26 pts
Lees-McRae College24%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$4,800
Lees-McRae College$34,300
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at Lees-McRae College Check my chances at WCU
  • Applied
  • Lees-McRae College 2,084
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Lees-McRae College 1,600
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lees-McRae College 76.8%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lees-McRae College 13.9%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lees-McRae College 1140
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lees-McRae College 23
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lees-McRae College -
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lees-McRae College -
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Lees-McRae College Moderate
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Lees-McRae College
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Lees-McRae College 1040-1240
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Lees-McRae College 20-26
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Lees-McRae College Test-free
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lees-McRae College
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lees-McRae College $33,250
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lees-McRae College $33,250
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Lees-McRae College $15,200
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Lees-McRae College $29,833
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Lees-McRae College $19,774
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lees-McRae College 97%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lees-McRae College 24%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lees-McRae College $34,300
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lees-McRae College 55%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lees-McRae College $20,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Lees-McRae College $206
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lees-McRae College 11:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lees-McRae College
    • Education (25%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Lees-McRae College Distant Rural
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Lees-McRae College 910
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Lees-McRae College Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lees-McRae College
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 910 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 18.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,354 vs. $15,200).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 285.3% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Western Carolina University (about $24,620 more per year; $33,250 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Western Carolina University (97% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 230% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($19,774 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Lees-McRae College than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Lees-McRae College, test optional at WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $2,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($206 vs. $227).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 55%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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