Lees-McRae College vs. Ashland College

Comparable Facts

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

Ashland University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (4,106 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Ashland University is in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Ashland University 14:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Ashland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Ashland 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 Ashland University than Lees-McRae College ($22,610 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ashland University are 10.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,568 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ashland College (about $2,040 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Ashland University (about $2,040 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ashland University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ashland University students is 5.4% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($20,835 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Ashland College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 20 points higher than at Ashland College (1120).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Ashland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Ashland University 1035/1208.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Ashland University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Ashland College - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Ashland College (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 15.9% at Ashland College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Ashland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Ashland University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Ashland College graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ashland College graduates ($206 vs. $271).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.