Lees-McRae College vs. Visible Music College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Visible Music College in Memphis, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lees McRae College is larger than Visible Music College based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 89 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Visible Music College is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Visible Music College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Visible Music College 6:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Visible Music College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Visible Music College? 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 Visible Music College than Lees-McRae College ($27,045 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Visible Music College are 53.9% lower than at Lees McRae College ($7,000 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 51.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Visible Music College (about $11,250 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $22,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.1% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Visible Music College (about $11,250 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $22,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Visible Music College (97% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 350.8% larger than aid received by Visible Music College students ($19,774 vs. $4,386).

Lees-McRae College vs. Visible Music College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 210 points higher than at Visible Music College (930).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Visible Music College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Visible Music College 605/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Visible Music College 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Visible Music College - Test optional.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Visible Music College (28%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 51.4% at Visible Music College.

Lees-McRae College vs. Visible Music College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lees McRae College's six-year graduation rate (24%) is higher than Visible Music College's (20%).
• More Visible Music College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.