Lees-McRae College vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (38,464 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 State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or NC State? 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 State University at Raleigh than Lees-McRae College ($15,522 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 5.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,332 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 277.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $24,451 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Lees-McRae College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $403 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (97% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 69.4% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($19,774 vs. $11,675).

Lees-McRae College vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 250 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming NC State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Lees-McRae College vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and NC State? 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 State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $782 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($206 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.