Lees-McRae College vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent than Lees-McRae College ($21,278 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 9.2% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,794 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 151.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $20,018 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Kent State University at Kent (about $10,168 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Kent State University at Kent (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 96.2% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($19,774 vs. $10,076).

Lees-McRae College vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

Lees-McRae College vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Kent State University at Kent's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Kent earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,825 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($206 vs. $267).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 46%)

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.