Lees-McRae College vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (4,022 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 South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or USC Aiken? 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 South Carolina Aiken than Lees-McRae College ($12,236 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 39.6% lower than at Lees McRae College ($9,182 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 209% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $22,490 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.7% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $12,032 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (97% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 122.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($19,774 vs. $8,904).

Lees-McRae College vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 40 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Lees-McRae College vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and USC Aiken? 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 South Carolina Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 54%)

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.