Fayetteville State University vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Fayetteville State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (7,107 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Fayetteville 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: Fayetteville State University 20:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Fayetteville State University vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University than Lees-McRae College ($7,811 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 24.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,449 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 663.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fayetteville State University (about $28,897 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $4,353.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 298.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Fayetteville State University (about $24,897 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $8,353.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Fayetteville State University (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 125.3% larger than aid received by Fayetteville State University students ($19,774 vs. $8,777).

Fayetteville State University vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 150 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (990).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at Fayetteville State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 890/1090; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 15/19; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fayetteville State University - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Fayetteville State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Fayetteville State University vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Fayetteville State University vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fayetteville State University 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).

• Fayetteville State University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Lees McRae College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $2,161 lower median loan debt than Fayetteville State University graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,161).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fayetteville State University graduates ($206 vs. $229).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 28%)

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.