Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Olive

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mount Olive is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,109 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); University of Mount Olive is in Mount Olive, NC (Town Fringe setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mount Olive is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of Mount Olive 17:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Olive Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or University of Mount Olive? 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 University of Mount Olive than Lees-McRae College ($18,853 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mount Olive are 20.8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,040 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Mount Olive (about $5,884 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $27,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of Mount Olive (about $5,884 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $27,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mount Olive than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by University of Mount Olive students ($19,774 vs. $19,716).

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Olive Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or University of Mount Olive? 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 University of Mount Olive and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 70 points higher than at University of Mount Olive (1070).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at University of Mount Olive).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of Mount Olive 990/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of Mount Olive 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; University of Mount Olive - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than University of Mount Olive (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 19.8% at University of Mount Olive.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Olive Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and University of Mount Olive? 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).

• University of Mount Olive's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of Mount Olive earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $8,006 lower median loan debt than University of Mount Olive graduates ($20,000 vs. $28,006).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Mount Olive graduates ($206 vs. $289).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Mount Olive students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 42%)

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.