IUPUI vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Indianapolis is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (22,534 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Indianapolis 13:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

IUPUI vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IUPUI 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 Indiana University Indianapolis than Lees-McRae College ($12,228 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Indianapolis are 12.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,308 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 209% more expensive for in-state tuition than IUPUI (about $22,488 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $10,762.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at IUPUI than at Lees McRae College (about $1,641 more per year; $34,891.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Indiana University Indianapolis (97% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 78.1% larger than aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students ($19,774 vs. $11,104).

IUPUI vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IUPUI 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 IUPUI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Indianapolis (1140) is the same as at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming IUPUI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Indianapolis 1030/1240; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Indianapolis 21/29; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IUPUI - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: IUPUI May 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than IUPUI (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at IUPUI vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

IUPUI vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IUPUI 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).

• Indiana University Indianapolis's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Indianapolis earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,090 lower median loan debt than IUPUI graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,090).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IUPUI graduates ($206 vs. $238).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

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.