ECU vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

ECU vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Carolina University than Lees-McRae College ($13,755 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 24.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,541 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 351.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $25,889 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.7% higher at Lees-McRae College than at East Carolina University (about $9,612 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at East Carolina University (97% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 102.3% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($19,774 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 20 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Lees-McRae College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

ECU vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $4,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($206 vs. $256).
• More ECU 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.