ASU vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

ASU vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU 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 Appalachian State University than Lees-McRae College ($14,978 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 15.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,868 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 338.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $25,671 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Appalachian State University (about $8,038 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Appalachian State University (97% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 146.7% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($19,774 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU 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 ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 60 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming ASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

ASU vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.