Lees-McRae College vs. Methodist

Comparable Facts

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

Methodist University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,822 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lees-McRae College vs. Methodist Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Methodist? 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 Methodist University than Lees-McRae College ($26,334 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Methodist University are 6.2% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,250 vs. $15,200).
• Methodist University is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $8,000 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Methodist than at Lees McRae College (about $8,000 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Methodist University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Methodist University students is 49.1% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($29,476 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Methodist Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Methodist University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Methodist students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Methodist University 1080/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Methodist University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Methodist - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Methodist (75.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 15.3% at Methodist.

Lees-McRae College vs. Methodist Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Methodist University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Methodist University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Methodist graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Methodist graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Methodist students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 49%)

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.