Catawba College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Catawba College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba College 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 Catawba College than Lees-McRae College ($18,447 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 10.8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,565 vs. $15,200).
• Catawba College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $1,050 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Catawba College than at Lees McRae College (about $1,050 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 55.8% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($30,808 vs. $19,774).

Catawba College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College 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 Catawba College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 30 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Catawba College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba College 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).

• Catawba College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 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 Catawba College graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.