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Lees-McRae College

Banner Elk, North Carolina · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Rural

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At a glance

Average net price
$28,340What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
77%
Graduation rate
43%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
873
In-state tuition
$33,250Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$33,250
SAT midpoint
1,140
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$43,415Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against private nonprofit 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$28,340

Better than 26% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1092 compared).

Completion

43%

Better than 22% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1063 compared).

Earnings

$43,415

Better than 20% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1087 compared).

Debt at graduation

$17,375

Better than 90% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1020 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$49,498

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$28,340

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Lees-McRae College
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time43%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return69%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$17,375
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$43,415

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Lees-McRae College by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$69,77614
Criminal Justice and Corrections$39,81125
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$38,99621
Human Services, General$34,81136
Business Administration, Management and Operations$33,29214
Zoology/Animal Biology$24,92148
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessNot reported16
Biology, GeneralNot reported12
Psychology, GeneralNot reported8
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities ManagementNot reported4
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftNot reported3
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory ProgramsNot reported3
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported2
Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralNot reported2
Communication and Media StudiesNot reported1
Nutrition SciencesNot reported1
Health/Medical Preparatory ProgramsNot reported1
Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementNot reported1
Special Education and TeachingNot reported1
HistoryNot reported1
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsNot reported1
Religion/Religious StudiesNot reportedNot reported
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralNot reportedNot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasNot reportedNot reported

All 24 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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