SAU vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

SAU vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU 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 Spring Arbor University than Lees-McRae College ($21,067 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 24.7% lower than at Lees McRae College ($11,440 vs. $15,200).
• Spring Arbor University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $764 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at SAU than at Lees McRae College (about $764 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 20.7% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($23,877 vs. $19,774).

SAU vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU 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 SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; 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: SAU - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Lees-McRae College has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

SAU vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $4,043 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.