MLC vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lees McRae College is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Martin Luther College is located in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Martin Luther College 10:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

MLC vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MLC or Lees-McRae 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 Martin Luther College than Lees-McRae College ($18,974 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 48% lower than at Lees McRae College ($7,900 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 83.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MLC (about $15,130 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.5% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Martin Luther College (about $15,130 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 92.4% larger than aid received by Martin Luther College students ($19,774 vs. $10,276).

MLC vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 30 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming MLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Martin Luther College 1078/1256; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Martin Luther College 22/27; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MLC - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at MLC vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

MLC vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MLC and Lees-McRae 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Martin Luther College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $3,125 lower median loan debt than MLC graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MLC graduates ($206 vs. $239).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.