BAC vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Belmont Abbey College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,388 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Belmont Abbey College is located in Belmont, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Belmont Abbey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Belmont Abbey College 12:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

BAC vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BAC 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 Belmont Abbey College than Lees-McRae College ($24,726 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Belmont Abbey College are 14.6% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,974 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 70.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BAC (about $13,750 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Belmont Abbey College (about $13,750 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $19,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont Abbey College than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 94.5% larger than aid received by Belmont Abbey College students ($19,774 vs. $10,168).

BAC vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BAC 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 BAC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 60 points higher than at BAC (1080).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BAC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 960/1200; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Belmont Abbey College 18/26; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BAC - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than BAC (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at BAC vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

BAC vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BAC 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).

• Belmont Abbey College's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than BAC graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BAC graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BAC students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 40%)

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.