Lees-McRae College vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee Technological University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (10,511 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than Lees-McRae College ($15,336 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 12.5% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,302 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 192.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $21,874 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Tennessee Technological University (about $17,674 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Tennessee Technological University (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 89.1% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($19,774 vs. $10,458).

Lees-McRae College vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 40 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Tennessee Tech (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Lees-McRae College vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Tennessee Technological University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Lees-McRae College graduates ($16,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lees-McRae College graduates ($165 vs. $206).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.