Lees-McRae College vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Lutheran University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,423 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or TLU? 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 Texas Lutheran University than Lees-McRae College ($25,119 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Lutheran University are 18.8% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,350 vs. $15,200).
• Texas Lutheran University is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $2,980 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at TLU than at Lees McRae College (about $2,980 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 25.7% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($24,861 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. TLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at TLU (1130).
• Incoming TLU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; TLU - Test-free.
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 16.8% at TLU.

Lees-McRae College vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Texas Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 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 TLU graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.