Earlham vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Lees McRae College is larger than Earlham based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Earlham vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham 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 Earlham College than Lees-McRae College ($27,107 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Earlham College are 8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,985 vs. $15,200).
• Earlham College is 62.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $20,680 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.2% higher at Earlham than at Lees McRae College (about $20,680 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 105.4% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($40,618 vs. $19,774).

Earlham vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham 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 Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 60 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Earlham students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 1110/1290; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Earlham (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Earlham vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham 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).

• Earlham College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Earlham College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.