FLC vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Fort Lewis College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (3,544 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Lewis College is located in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Fort Lewis College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fort Lewis College 14:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

FLC vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FLC 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 Fort Lewis College than Lees-McRae College ($17,114 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Lewis College are 10% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,680 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 233.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than FLC (about $23,292 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $9,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Fort Lewis College (about $11,724 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $21,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Fort Lewis College (97% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 199.2% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($19,774 vs. $6,610).

FLC vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FLC 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 FLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 30 points higher than at FLC (1110).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at FLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 1010/1210; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 18/26; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FLC - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: FLC Aug 1, 2027.
• FLC has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at FLC vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

FLC vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FLC 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).

• Fort Lewis College's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Fort Lewis College earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Lewis College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Lees-McRae College graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, FLC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lees-McRae College graduates ($201 vs. $206).
• More FLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.