Lees-McRae College vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Middle Tennessee State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (20,488 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Middle Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University than Lees-McRae College ($13,859 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 19.5% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,242 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 223.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $22,984 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $10,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Middle Tennessee State University (about $1,676 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $31,574.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Middle Tennessee State University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 85.4% larger than aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students ($19,774 vs. $10,665).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 20 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1120).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Middle Tennessee 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).

• Middle Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $1,758 lower median loan debt than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,758).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($206 vs. $224).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 50%)

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.