Lees-McRae College vs. Columbia International University

Should I go to Lees McRae College or Columbia International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lees-McRae College or Columbia International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Lees McRae College vs. Columbia International University comparison
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Overview

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
Location Banner Elk, NC Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Rural Midsize City
Enrollment 855 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lmc.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $26,490 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $26,490 $25,620
Room & Board $12,200 $9,950
Avg Net Price $24,108 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $18,205 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,733 506
Admitted 1,063 244
Acceptance Rate 61.3% 48.2%
Enrolled % 19.9% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA - 3.5
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26 16/25
SAT Range 1040/1240 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 24% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,300 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $206 $222

Diversity

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
% Men 35% 46%
% Women 65% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 72%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 18% 6%

Students

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
% In-State 45% 59%
% Out-of-State 50% 38%

Campus

Lees-McRae College Columbia International University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia International University is larger than than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 855 students)

Lees-McRae College vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Columbia International University?

  • Lees McRae College is 3.4% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($26,490.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.4% higher at Lees-McRae College than Columbia International University ($26,490.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than Lees-McRae College ($19,911 vs. $24,108)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 22.6% lower than costs at Lees McRae College ($9,950 vs. $12,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lees McRae College than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 3.5% larger than aid received Lees McRae College ($18,834 vs. $18,205)

Lees-McRae College vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or Columbia International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia International University or Lees-McRae College .

  • Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (61.3%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Lees-McRae College vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lees-McRae College or Columbia International University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia International University and Lees-McRae College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Lees McRae College (57% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Lees McRae College earn on average $900 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($34,300 vs. $33,400)
  • Lees McRae College students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia International University graduates. ($20,000 vs. $21,500)
  • Lees-McRae College graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia International University graduates. ($206 vs. $222)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/