Lees-McRae College vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Lees McRae College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Salem College 9:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Salem 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 Salem College than Lees-McRae College ($18,668 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 9.8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,710 vs. $15,200).
• Salem College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $598 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Salem College than at Lees McRae College (about $598 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 51.7% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($30,001 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Salem College - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Salem College earn a median of about $700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,000 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 Salem 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 Salem College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College 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.