Westminster College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Lees McRae College is larger than Westminster College based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westminster College is located in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westminster College 9:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Westminster College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster College or Lees-McRae 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 Westminster College than Lees-McRae College ($24,358 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 16.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,662 vs. $15,200).
• Westminster College is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $1,964 more per year; $35,214.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Westminster College than at Lees McRae College (about $1,964 more per year; $35,214.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 37.5% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($27,192 vs. $19,774).

Westminster College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 20 points higher than at Westminster College (1120).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Westminster College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 990/1250; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 19/24; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westminster College - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Westminster College vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Westminster College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Westminster College earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,437 lower median loan debt than Westminster College graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,437).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($206 vs. $273).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.