Mount Saint Mary College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Saint Mary College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,491 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Saint Mary College is located in Newburgh, NY (Small City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Mount Saint Mary College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Saint Mary College 12:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Mount Saint Mary College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Saint Mary College 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 Mount Saint Mary College than Lees-McRae College ($26,896 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 21.6% lower than at Mount Saint Mary College ($15,200 vs. $19,390).
• Mount Saint Mary College is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $10,200 more per year; $43,450.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at Mount Saint Mary College than at Lees McRae College (about $10,200 more per year; $43,450.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary College than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary College students is 43.3% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($28,345 vs. $19,774).

Mount Saint Mary College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Saint Mary College 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 Mount Saint Mary College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Saint Mary College (1170) is 30 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary College 1090/1255; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Saint Mary College - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Mount Saint Mary College has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at Mount Saint Mary College vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Mount Saint Mary College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Saint Mary College 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).

• Mount Saint Mary College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary College earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 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 Mount Saint Mary College graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary College graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Mount Saint Mary College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.