Georgia State vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Georgia 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 State University 25:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Georgia State vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia State 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 State University than Lees-McRae College ($16,854 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia State University are 11.9% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,392 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 283.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia State (about $24,586 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $8,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Georgia State University (about $8,410 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $24,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Georgia State University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 64.1% larger than aid received by Georgia State University students ($19,774 vs. $12,052).

Georgia State vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 80 points higher than at Georgia State (1060).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Georgia State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 940/1180; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 19/26; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia State - Required; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia State Apr 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Georgia State vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Georgia State vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia State 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Georgia State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,699 lower median loan debt than Georgia State graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia State graduates ($206 vs. $245).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia State students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 45%)

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.