Lees-McRae College vs Winston-Salem State University
Lees-McRae College is a private college in Banner Elk, NC. Winston-Salem State University is a public university in Winston-Salem, NC. Lees-McRae College admits about 77% of applicants and Winston-Salem State University about 78%, making Lees-McRae College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,479 a year at Winston-Salem State University after aid, and about $28,340 at Lees-McRae College. About 48% of students graduate at Winston-Salem State University, compared with 43% at Lees-McRae College. Ten years after enrolling, Winston-Salem State University alumni earn a median of about $45,344, against $43,415 for Lees-McRae College.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Banner Elk, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Setting
Rural
Urban
Undergraduates
873
4,170
Acceptance rate
77%
78%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.4–3.9
3.28–3.78
SAT (middle 50%)
1040–1240
830–1020
ACT (middle 50%)
20–26
15–20
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,340
$13,479
Full cost / yr
$49,498
$23,147
In-state tuition
$33,250
$6,126
Out-of-state tuition
$33,250
$16,782
Application fee
$25
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,030
$11,463
$30k - $48k
$22,733
$12,412
$48k - $75k
$25,905
$14,681
$75k - $110k
$28,854
$18,813
Over $110k
$33,664
$21,405
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
48%
Freshman retention
69%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$41,599
$40,557
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,415
$45,344
Median debt at graduation
$17,375
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
37%
65%
First-generation students
40%
35%
International students
5%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 15
Not reported
Regular decision
May 1
Jun 28
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Lees-McRae College or Winston-Salem State University harder to get into?
- Lees-McRae College is harder to get into. It admits about 77% of applicants, compared with 78% at Winston-Salem State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Lees-McRae College or Winston-Salem State University?
- Winston-Salem State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,479 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,340 at Lees-McRae College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Lees-McRae College and Winston-Salem State University?
- Before aid, Winston-Salem State University costs about $23,147 a year and Lees-McRae College about $49,498. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Lees-McRae College or Winston-Salem State University?
- Winston-Salem State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,463 there, against about $23,030 at Lees-McRae College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Lees-McRae College or Winston-Salem State University?
- Winston-Salem State University is the larger of the two, with about 4,170 undergraduates against 873 at Lees-McRae College.
- Does Lees-McRae College or Winston-Salem State University have a better graduation rate?
- Winston-Salem State University has the higher graduation rate, at about 48% against 43% at Lees-McRae College.
- Do graduates of Lees-McRae College or Winston-Salem State University earn more?
- Winston-Salem State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,344 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,415 for Lees-McRae College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Lees-McRae College and Winston-Salem State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Lees-McRae College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Winston-Salem State University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Lees-McRae College and Winston-Salem State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1040–1240 at Lees-McRae College and 830–1020 at Winston-Salem State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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