Lees-McRae College vs. UNG

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Georgia is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (19,291 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 Georgia is in Dahlonega, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of North Georgia 19:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or UNG? 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 Georgia than Lees-McRae College ($11,157 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Georgia are 16% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,770 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 529.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNG (about $27,965 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $5,285.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of North Georgia (about $16,747 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $16,503.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of North Georgia (97% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 173.7% larger than aid received by University of North Georgia students ($19,774 vs. $7,226).

Lees-McRae College vs. UNG Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 40 points higher than at UNG (1100).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of North Georgia 980/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of North Georgia 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; UNG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNG Feb 15, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than UNG (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 47.9% at UNG.

Lees-McRae College vs. UNG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and UNG? 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).

• Graduates from University of North Georgia earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Georgia graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Lees-McRae College graduates ($16,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UNG graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lees-McRae College graduates ($170 vs. $206).
• More UNG graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.