Lees-McRae College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or SU? 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 Shenandoah University than Lees-McRae College ($27,181 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 17.8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,490 vs. $15,200).
• Shenandoah University is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $3,700 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at SU than at Lees McRae College (about $3,700 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 25.1% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($24,747 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 20 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 16.7% at SU.

Lees-McRae College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Shenandoah University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 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 SU graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.