Lees-McRae College vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Roche University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; La Roche University 11:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or LRC? 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 La Roche University than Lees-McRae College ($24,108 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 11.9% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,390 vs. $15,200).
• La Roche University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $802 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at LRC than at Lees McRae College (about $802 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at La Roche University (97% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 16.7% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($23,083 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. LRC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 70 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 9.8% at LRC.

Lees-McRae College vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.