Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Martin's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Saint Martin's University in Lacey, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Martin's University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,390 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Saint Martin's University is in Lacey, WA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Martin's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Saint Martin's University 11:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Martin's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Saint Martin's 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 Martin's University than Lees-McRae College ($29,116 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Martin's University are 0.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($15,152 vs. $15,200).
• Saint Martin's University is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $12,260 more per year; $45,510.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at Saint Martin's University than at Lees McRae College (about $12,260 more per year; $45,510.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Martin's University than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Martin's University students is 70.2% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($33,654 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Martin's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or Saint Martin's 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 Martin's University and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at Saint Martin's University (1130).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Saint Martin's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Saint Martin's University 1025/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Saint Martin's University 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Saint Martin's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Martin's University Jul 31, 2027.
• Saint Martin's University has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 12.8% at Saint Martin's University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Saint Martin's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Saint Martin's 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 Martin's University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Saint Martin's University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,500 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Saint Martin's University graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Martin's University graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Saint Martin's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.