Lees-McRae College vs. Xavier

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Xavier University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (5,501 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Xavier University is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Xavier University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Xavier University 10:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Xavier Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Xavier? 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 Lees McRae College than Xavier ($29,833 vs. $33,623).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Xavier University are 8.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,920 vs. $15,200).
• Xavier University is 52.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $17,390 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.3% higher at Xavier than at Lees McRae College (about $17,390 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Xavier University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 62.3% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($32,088 vs. $19,774).

Lees-McRae College vs. Xavier Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Xavier University (1210) is 70 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Xavier 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; Xavier University 1103/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Xavier University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Xavier - Test optional.
• Xavier has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 7.3% at Xavier.

Lees-McRae College vs. Xavier Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Xavier University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Xavier University earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,500 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 Xavier graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Xavier graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.