Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Union

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mount Union is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,461 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 Mount Union is in Alliance, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mount Union is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of Mount Union 15:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or University of Mount Union? 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 Mount Union than Lees-McRae College ($23,616 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mount Union are 16.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,720 vs. $15,200).
• University of Mount Union is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $3,350 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at University of Mount Union than at Lees McRae College (about $3,350 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mount Union than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mount Union students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($25,597 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Union Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 60 points higher than at University of Mount Union (1080).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Mount Union).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of Mount Union 910/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of Mount Union 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; University of Mount Union - Test optional.
• University of Mount Union has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 23.3% at University of Mount Union.

Lees-McRae College vs. University of Mount Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and University of Mount Union? 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 Mount Union's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of Mount Union earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 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 University of Mount Union graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Mount Union graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More University of Mount Union graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.