Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (32,438 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Lees-McRae College ($10,154 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 9.2% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,804 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 269.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $24,256 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.9% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Lees McRae College (about $7,953 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (97% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 11% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($19,774 vs. $17,814).

Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 320 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $3,521 lower median loan debt than Lees-McRae College graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lees-McRae College graduates ($170 vs. $206).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.