Academic Comparison between Lees-McRae and Western Carolina

Lees-McRae College and Western Carolina University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Lees-McRae is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Banner Elk, NC and Western Carolina is a four-year, public school located in Cullowhee, NC.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Lees-McRae is a private (not-for-profit) and Western Carolina is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Lees-McRae has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,850) than Western Carolina ($8,630).
  • It is harder to admit to Lees-McRae than Western Carolina.
  • Western Carolina has more students with 11,686 students while Lees-McRae has 910 students.
  • Lees-McRae has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Western Carolina's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Western Carolina has more full-time faculties with 549 faculties while Lees-McRae has 62 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Lees-McRae Collegevs.Western Carolina University
Banner Elk, North CarolinaLocationCullowhee, North Carolina
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Diverse FieldsCarnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
$33,8502025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
96%% Receiving Financial Aid65%
$18,588Average Amount of Financial Aid$6,267
76.78 %Acceptance Rates81.83 %
13.94 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.70 %
-SAT Score1,180
-ACT Score23
42 %Graduation Rate60 %
41 %Transfer-out Rate27 %
69 %Retention Rate79 %
910Student Population11,686
62Number of Faculties549
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare