Lees-McRae College vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than Lees-McRae College ($15,347 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 17.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,604 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 218.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $22,802 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at Lees-McRae College than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $14,738 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 97% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($19,774 vs. $10,038).

Lees-McRae College vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 30 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UTC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Lees-McRae College vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $792 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($206 vs. $214).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.