Lees-McRae College vs. Carson-Newman University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carson Newman University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,669 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Carson Newman University is in Jefferson City, TN (Small Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carson Newman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Carson Newman University 12:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Carson-Newman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Carson-Newman University? 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 Carson Newman University than Lees-McRae College ($20,895 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carson Newman University are 22.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,800 vs. $15,200).
• Carson Newman University is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $1,450 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Carson-Newman University than at Lees McRae College (about $1,450 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carson Newman University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carson Newman University students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($28,090 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Carson-Newman University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 50 points higher than at Carson-Newman University (1090).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Carson-Newman University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Carson Newman University 955/1215.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Carson Newman University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Carson-Newman University - Test optional.
• Carson-Newman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 16.8% at Carson-Newman University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Carson-Newman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Carson-Newman University? 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).

• Carson Newman University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Carson Newman University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,880 lower median loan debt than Carson-Newman University graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,880).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carson-Newman University graduates ($206 vs. $246).
• More Carson-Newman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.