Lees-McRae College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wisconsin Lutheran College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,027 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or WLC? 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College than Lees-McRae College ($24,095 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 19.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,250 vs. $15,200).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $2,860 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at WLC than at Lees McRae College (about $2,860 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 24.5% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($24,624 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 40 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; WLC - Test optional.
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Lees-McRae College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than WLC graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WLC graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.