BSU vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Ball 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: Ball State University 14:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

BSU vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU 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 Ball State University than Lees-McRae College ($13,599 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 18.9% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,334 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 200% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $22,168 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Ball State University (about $3,620 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Ball State University (97% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 49.6% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($19,774 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU 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 BSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

BSU vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU 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).

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.