Lees-McRae College vs. AMU

Comparable Facts

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

Ave Maria University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,423 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Ave Maria University is in Ave Maria, FL (Distant Rural setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ave Maria University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Ave Maria University 17:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. AMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or AMU? 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 Ave Maria University than Lees-McRae College ($25,294 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ave Maria University are 5.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,432 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than AMU (about $3,052 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $30,198.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Ave Maria University (about $3,052 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $30,198.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ave Maria University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ave Maria University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($20,936 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. AMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at AMU (1130).
• Incoming AMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Ave Maria University 1018/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Ave Maria University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; AMU - Test-free.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than AMU (41.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 32.8% at AMU.

Lees-McRae College vs. AMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Ave Maria University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $2,428 lower median loan debt than AMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,428).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AMU graduates ($206 vs. $231).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU 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.