Lees-McRae College vs. Middle Georgia State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Middle Georgia State University in Macon, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Middle Georgia State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (8,363 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Middle Georgia State University is in Macon, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Georgia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Middle Georgia State University 18:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Middle Georgia State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Middle Georgia State University? 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 Middle Georgia State University than Lees-McRae College ($11,883 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Georgia State University are 38.5% lower than at Lees McRae College ($9,350 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 560% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Georgia State University (about $28,212 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $5,038.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.9% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Middle Georgia State University (about $16,860 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $16,390.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Middle Georgia State University (97% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 171.8% larger than aid received by Middle Georgia State University students ($19,774 vs. $7,274).

Lees-McRae College vs. Middle Georgia State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 70 points higher than at Middle Georgia State University (1070).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Middle Georgia State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Middle Georgia State University 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Middle Georgia State University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Middle Georgia State University - Test optional.
• Middle Georgia State University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 30.4% at Middle Georgia State University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Middle Georgia State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Middle Georgia State University? 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).

• Graduates from Middle Georgia State University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Georgia State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Lees-McRae College graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Middle Georgia State University graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lees-McRae College graduates ($155 vs. $206).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Georgia State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 34%)

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.