Lees-McRae College vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina School of the Arts is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,111 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 School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or UNCSA? 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 School of the Arts than Lees-McRae College ($13,140 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 11.1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,517 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 250.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $23,773 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $6,039 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (97% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 53.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($19,774 vs. $12,876).

Lees-McRae College vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 120 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming UNCSA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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 School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and UNCSA? 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 School of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 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 UNCSA graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More UNCSA 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.