Lees-McRae College vs. Montreat College

Comparable Facts

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

Montreat College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (962 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lees-McRae College vs. Montreat College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Montreat College? 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 Montreat College than Lees-McRae College ($28,112 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montreat College are 21.8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,890 vs. $15,200).
• Montreat College is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $3,200 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at Montreat College than at Lees McRae College (about $3,200 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Montreat College (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Montreat College students ($19,774 vs. $18,992).

Lees-McRae College vs. Montreat College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at Montreat College (1130).
• Incoming Montreat College 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; Montreat College 1030/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Montreat College 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Montreat College - Test-free.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Montreat College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 17.9% at Montreat College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Montreat College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Montreat College's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Montreat College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Montreat College graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Montreat College graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Montreat College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.