Paine College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA 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 Paine College based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Paine College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine 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 Paine College than Lees-McRae College ($15,935 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 50.6% lower than at Lees McRae College ($7,512 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 127.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $18,654 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.8% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Paine College (about $18,654 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 62.8% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($19,774 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine 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 Paine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 260 points higher than at Paine College (880).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at Paine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Paine College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine 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).

• Paine College's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Lees McRae College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $15,750 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($20,000 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($206 vs. $369).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 15%)

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.