Mount St. Mary's University vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's University 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 St. Mary's University than Lees-McRae College ($23,027 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Mary's University are 1% lower than at Lees McRae College ($15,050 vs. $15,200).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 46.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $15,380 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.3% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Lees McRae College (about $15,380 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 105.4% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($40,619 vs. $19,774).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's University 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 St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount St. Mary's University (1160) is 20 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Mount St. Mary's University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Lees-McRae College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's University 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 St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 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 St. Mary's University 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 St. Mary's University graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.