Lees-McRae College vs. AU

Comparable Facts

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

Anderson University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lees-McRae College vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or AU? 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 Anderson University than Lees-McRae College ($24,434 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 16.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,720 vs. $15,200).
• Anderson University is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $1,720 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at AU than at Lees McRae College (about $1,720 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at Lees McRae College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($25,969 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or AU? 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 AU and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 50 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming AU 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: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Anderson University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Anderson University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; AU - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 32.5% at AU.

Lees-McRae College vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and AU? 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).

• Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Anderson University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,500 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,862 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($206 vs. $277).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.