ECSU vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Elizabeth City 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: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

ECSU vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University than Lees-McRae College ($6,483 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 21.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,986 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 408.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $26,714 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 215.6% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Elizabeth City State University (about $22,714 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Elizabeth City State University (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 84.3% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($19,774 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU 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 ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 140 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at ECSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

ECSU vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU 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).

• Elizabeth City State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Lees McRae College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,125 lower median loan debt than ECSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,125).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECSU graduates ($206 vs. $270).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 23%)

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.