Louisville vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 910 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Louisville vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville than Lees-McRae College ($19,785 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 17.3% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,576 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 153.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $20,114 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Lees-McRae College than at University of Louisville (about $3,768 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Lees McRae College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 34.7% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($19,774 vs. $14,677).

Louisville vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville or Lees-McRae College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lees-McRae College and Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 20 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Louisville students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 23) as students at Lees-McRae College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Louisville 19/27; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Louisville vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and Lees-McRae College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Louisville's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $344 lower median loan debt than Lees-McRae College graduates ($19,656 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lees-McRae College graduates ($203 vs. $206).
• More Louisville 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.