Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (31,091 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 Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or UNC Charlotte? 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 Charlotte than Lees-McRae College ($15,045 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 4.9% lower than at Lees McRae College ($14,458 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 359.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $26,011 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.8% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $10,758 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (97% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 148.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($19,774 vs. $7,966).

Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 100 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming UNC Charlotte students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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 Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and UNC Charlotte? 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 Charlotte's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($206 vs. $237).
• More UNC Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.