Principia College vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois 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 Principia College based on total student enrollment (910 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Principia College vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia 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 Principia College than Lees-McRae College ($18,248 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Principia College are 8.5% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,910 vs. $15,200).
• Principia College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $1,430 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Principia College than at Lees McRae College (about $1,430 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at Principia College (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($30,402 vs. $19,774).

Principia College vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.

Principia College vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia 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).

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.