Lees-McRae College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than Lees-McRae College ($26,836 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 16.7% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,200 vs. $18,254).
• Lees McRae College is 96.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $16,305 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at VCU than at Lees McRae College (about $6,859 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($19,774 vs. $14,186).

Lees-McRae College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is the same as at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Lees-McRae College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($206 vs. $240).
• More VCU 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.