Lees-McRae College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Lees McRae College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College than Lees-McRae College ($21,322 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 0.2% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($15,200 vs. $15,230).
• Lees McRae College is 27.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $7,090 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Sweet Briar College (about $7,090 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 13.2% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($22,387 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 70 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 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 Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.