Lees-McRae College vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University than Lees-McRae College ($16,419 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 2.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,878 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 160.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $20,500 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Old Dominion than at Lees McRae College (about $530 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Old Dominion University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 68.4% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($19,774 vs. $11,740).

Lees-McRae College vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 50 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

Lees-McRae College vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Old Dominion University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($206 vs. $242).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

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.