Overview
Banner Elk, NC Lees-McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Banner Elk, North Carolina. There are currently 854 undergraduates at Lees-McRae and the school’s acceptance rate is 61%. The tuition at Lees-McRae is $28,840.
Lees-McRae is a Presbyterian school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Presbyterian faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Lees-McRae to help you make an educated decision.
Rural
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$46,140
$23,563
$22,577
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$46,140for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Lees-McRae is $46,140. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Lees-McRae would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Lees-McRae College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Lees-McRae College need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Lees-McRae College is 002939.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at Lees-McRae
If you're a North Carolina resident with demonstrated financial need, be sure to look into state grants to help pay for Lees-McRae. The state offers two major need-based grants: The NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students and the NC Scholarship. Both are reserved for needy students, and the former is reserved for those attending private schools. Unlike scholarships, these do not involve selection committees or essays. If you meet the requirements and the funds have not been exhausted, you will receive the money.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more North Carolina scholarships
Pell Grants at Lees-McRae College
33% of students at Lees-McRae College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Lees-McRae College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Lees-McRae students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
61%
23
Is Lees-McRae test-optional?
Lees-McRae College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
10:1
Graduation Rate
46%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
21%
21% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
15%
15% of graduates
Education
13%
13% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
13%
13% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
13%
13% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
7%
7% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
7%
7% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
2%
2% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
2%
2% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
854
Pell Grant 41%
Undergrad Students Over 25 16%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 4%
Percent Male / Female 35% / 65%
Ethnic Diversity at Lees-McRae
74% White
7% Hispanic
7% Black
5% Unknown
4% International / Non-Citizen
1% Multiracial
1% Asian / Pacific Islander
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$43,415
Median Debt $17,375
Debt 10 years after graduation $184
Graduation Rate 46%
What is the graduation rate at Lees-McRae College?
46% of students who start at Lees-McRae College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 12% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Lees-McRae College go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Lees-McRae College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $43,415. This is $6,976 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Lees-McRae take out in loans?
Graduates of Lees-McRae have to take out a median of $17,375 in federal student loans. This is $3,875 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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