Kentucky vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Kentucky vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 University of Kentucky than Lees-McRae College ($21,958 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 5.1% lower than at University of Kentucky ($15,200 vs. $16,016).
• Lees McRae College is 146.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $19,748 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Kentucky than at Lees McRae College (about $890 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at University of Kentucky (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 53.3% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($19,774 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 40 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Kentucky vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($206 vs. $235).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.