Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Francis University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Francis University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,963 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Saint Francis University is in Loretto, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Francis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Saint Francis University 16:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Francis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Saint Francis University? 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 Saint Francis University than Lees-McRae College ($28,326 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Francis University are 11.2% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,500 vs. $15,200).
• Saint Francis University is 32.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $10,750 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.3% higher at Saint Francis University than at Lees McRae College (about $10,750 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Francis University than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Francis University students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($31,610 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Francis University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is the same as at Saint Francis University (1140).
• Incoming Saint Francis University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Saint Francis University 1050/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Saint Francis University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Saint Francis University - Test optional.
• Saint Francis University has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 19.6% at Saint Francis University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Francis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Saint Francis University? 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).

• Saint Francis University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Saint Francis University earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 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 Saint Francis University graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Francis University graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Saint Francis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.