Lees-McRae College vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Adventist University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (3,229 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University than Lees-McRae College ($25,753 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 41.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($8,900 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Adventist University (about $5,950 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Southern Adventist University (about $5,950 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Adventist University than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 53.2% larger than aid received by Southern Adventist University students ($19,774 vs. $12,904).

Lees-McRae College vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Adventist University (1160) is 20 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Southern Adventist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Southern Adventist University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Lees-McRae College vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southern Adventist University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Adventist University graduates ($206 vs. $274).
• More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.