Academic Comparison between Western Carolina and Lees-McRae

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

  • Western Carolina is a public and Lees-McRae is a private (not-for-profit) 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

Western Carolina Universityvs.Lees-McRae College
Cullowhee, North CarolinaLocationBanner Elk, North Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
2025 Tuition & Fees$33,850
65%% Receiving Financial Aid96%
$6,267Average Amount of Financial Aid$18,588
81.83 %Acceptance Rates76.78 %
12.70 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.94 %
1,180SAT Score-
23ACT Score-
60 %Graduation Rate42 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate41 %
79 %Retention Rate69 %
11,686Student Population910
549Number of Faculties62
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 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 services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services