Lees-McRae College vs. NCAT

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina A & T State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (14,311 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); North Carolina A & T State University is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina A & T State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; North Carolina A & T State University 20:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. NCAT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or NCAT? 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 North Carolina A & T State University than Lees-McRae College ($10,097 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina A & T State University are 41.9% lower than at Lees McRae College ($8,832 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 388% more expensive for in-state tuition than NCAT (about $26,437 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $6,813.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.8% higher at Lees-McRae College than at North Carolina A & T State University (about $12,577 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $20,673.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at North Carolina A & T State University (97% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 93.8% larger than aid received by North Carolina A & T State University students ($19,774 vs. $10,203).

Lees-McRae College vs. NCAT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 30 points higher than at NCAT (1110).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at NCAT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; North Carolina A & T State University 1020/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; North Carolina A & T State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; NCAT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NCAT Jun 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than NCAT (49.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 15% at NCAT.

Lees-McRae College vs. NCAT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• North Carolina A & T State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from North Carolina A & T State University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than NCAT graduates ($20,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCAT graduates ($206 vs. $299).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCAT students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 27%)

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.