Lees-McRae College vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

Roanoke College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lees-McRae College vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Roanoke 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 Roanoke College than Lees-McRae College ($26,044 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 1.1% lower than at Roanoke College ($15,200 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $4,818 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Roanoke College than at Lees McRae College (about $4,818 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($28,188 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 60 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.