Georgia College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia College & State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (7,097 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia College & State University is located in Milledgeville, GA (Distant Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Georgia College & 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: Georgia College & State University 17:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Georgia College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia College 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 Georgia College & State University than Lees-McRae College ($21,632 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia College & State University are 19.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,302 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 262% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia College (about $24,064 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $9,186.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Georgia College & State University (about $3,738 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Georgia College & State University (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 128% larger than aid received by Georgia College & State University students ($19,774 vs. $8,673).

Georgia College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia College 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 Georgia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia College & State University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Georgia College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 1070/1230; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 22/26; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia College - Required; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia College Apr 1, 2027.
• Georgia College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Georgia College vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Georgia College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia College 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).

• Georgia College & State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Georgia College & State University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,300 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Georgia College graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia College graduates ($206 vs. $227).
• More Georgia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.