Lees-McRae College vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or CofC? 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 College of Charleston than Lees-McRae College ($21,004 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 5.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,332 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 156.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $20,272 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at CofC than at Lees McRae College (about $5,046 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at College of Charleston (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 120.1% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($19,774 vs. $8,983).

Lees-McRae College vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 90 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming CofC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Lees-McRae College vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More CofC 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.