Guilford College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Guilford College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,180 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Guilford College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford 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 Guilford College than Lees-McRae College ($22,270 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 11.8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,400 vs. $15,200).
• Guilford College is 24.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $8,112 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.4% higher at Guilford College than at Lees McRae College (about $8,112 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 69% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($33,419 vs. $19,774).

Guilford College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 50 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Guilford College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,635 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($206 vs. $275).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 51%)

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.