Jacksonville State University vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Jacksonville State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (9,955 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jacksonville State University is located in Jacksonville, AL (Small Suburban setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Jacksonville 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: Jacksonville State University 19:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Jacksonville State University vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State University 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 Jacksonville State University than Lees-McRae College ($14,221 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 37.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($9,524 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 157.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jacksonville State University (about $20,356 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $12,894.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Jacksonville State University (about $9,916 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $23,334.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jacksonville State University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 99.2% larger than aid received by Jacksonville State University students ($19,774 vs. $9,925).

Jacksonville State University vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jacksonville State University 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 Jacksonville State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Jacksonville State University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Jacksonville State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville State University 1000/1290; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville State University 17/24; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jacksonville State University - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Jacksonville State University has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Jacksonville State University vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Jacksonville State University vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jacksonville State University 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).

• Jacksonville State University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Jacksonville State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Jacksonville State University graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jacksonville State University graduates ($206 vs. $240).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 39%)

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.