WCU vs. Lee University

Western Carolina University and Lee University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
Lee University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lee University (70.5% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1140 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $20,416 at Lee University.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Lee University 49%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Lee University $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Lee University
Acceptance rate
Lee University more selective
WCU81.8%
Lee University70.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Lee University1040-1230
Average net price
WCU $6,649 less
WCU$13,767
Lee University$20,416
In-state tuition
WCU $19,160 less
WCU$4,630
Lee University$23,790
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $15,160 less
WCU$8,630
Lee University$23,790
Graduation rate
WCU +1 pts
WCU50%
Lee University49%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$2,000
WCU$39,100
Lee University$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Lee University 2,388
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Lee University 1,684
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Lee University 70.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Lee University 35%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Lee University 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Lee University 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Lee University 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Lee University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Lee University Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Lee University Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Lee University 1040-1230
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Lee University 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Lee University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Lee University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Lee University $23,790
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Lee University $23,790
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Lee University $10,110
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Lee University $20,416
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Lee University $15,467
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Lee University 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Lee University 49%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Lee University $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Lee University 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Lee University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Lee University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Lee University 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Lee University
    • Education (18%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Psychology (10%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Lee University Cleveland, TN
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Lee University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Lee University 3,714
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Lee University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Lee University #790

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Lee University in Cleveland, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Lee University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 3,714 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Lee University is in Cleveland, TN (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Lee University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 18.2% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,110 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 175.7% higher at Lee University than at Western Carolina University (about $15,160 more per year; $23,790 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lee University than at Western Carolina University (99% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lee University students is 158.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($15,467 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Lee University than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Lee University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lee University average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 35% at Lee University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Lee University graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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