Lees-McRae College vs. Wilson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wilson College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,907 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lees-McRae College vs. Wilson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Wilson 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 Wilson College than Lees-McRae College ($21,748 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilson College are 19.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,296 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 22.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilson College (about $6,150 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Wilson College (about $6,150 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College as at Wilson College (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Wilson College students ($19,774 vs. $17,736).

Lees-McRae College vs. Wilson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 80 points higher than at Wilson College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Wilson College 930/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Wilson College - Test optional.
• Wilson College has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 21.5% at Wilson College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Wilson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Wilson College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than Wilson College graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilson College graduates ($206 vs. $266).
• More Wilson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.