Lees-McRae College vs. University of Akron

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with University of Akron Main Campus in Akron, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Akron Main Campus is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (13,332 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); University of Akron Main Campus is in Akron, OH (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Akron Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of Akron Main Campus 17:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or University of Akron? 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 University of Akron Main Campus than Lees-McRae College ($14,693 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Akron Main Campus are 21.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,904 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 153.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Akron (about $20,115 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $13,135.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.7% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of Akron Main Campus (about $12,435 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $20,815.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of Akron Main Campus (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 71.2% larger than aid received by University of Akron Main Campus students ($19,774 vs. $11,551).

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Akron Admissions comparison

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

• University of Akron Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 90 points higher than at University of Akron (1050).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Akron).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of Akron Main Campus 900/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of Akron Main Campus 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; University of Akron - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Akron Aug 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than University of Akron (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 18.3% at University of Akron.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and University of Akron? 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).

• University of Akron Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of Akron Main Campus earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Akron graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Akron graduates ($206 vs. $263).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 45%)

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.