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Catawba College vs Lees-McRae College

Catawba College is a private college in Salisbury, NC. Lees-McRae College is a private college in Banner Elk, NC. Catawba College admits about 75% of applicants and Lees-McRae College about 77%, making Catawba College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,879 a year at Catawba College after aid, and about $28,340 at Lees-McRae College. About 50% of students graduate at Catawba College, compared with 43% at Lees-McRae College. Ten years after enrolling, Catawba College alumni earn a median of about $48,793, against $43,415 for Lees-McRae College.

Catawba College

Salisbury, NC · Private

Lees-McRae College

Banner Elk, NC · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Salisbury, NC
Banner Elk, NC
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
1,235
873
Acceptance rate
75%
77%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1030–1300
1040–1240
ACT (middle 50%)
17–25
20–26
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,879
$28,340
Full cost / yr
$49,516
$49,498
In-state tuition
$34,300
$33,250
Out-of-state tuition
$34,300
$33,250
Application fee
$0
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$13,618
$23,030
$30k - $48k
$17,495
$22,733
$48k - $75k
$15,412
$25,905
$75k - $110k
$17,440
$28,854
Over $110k
$24,420
$33,664
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
43%
Freshman retention
77%
69%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$36,912
$41,599
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,793
$43,415
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$17,375
Student body
Pell grant recipients
41%
37%
First-generation students
30%
40%
International students
7%
5%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Dec 15
Regular decision
Feb 1
May 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Catawba College or Lees-McRae College harder to get into?
Catawba College is harder to get into. It admits about 75% of applicants, compared with 77% at Lees-McRae College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Catawba College or Lees-McRae College?
Catawba College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,879 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,340 at Lees-McRae College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Catawba College and Lees-McRae College?
Before aid, Lees-McRae College costs about $49,498 a year and Catawba College about $49,516. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Catawba College or Lees-McRae College?
Catawba College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $13,618 there, against about $23,030 at Lees-McRae College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Catawba College or Lees-McRae College?
Catawba College is the larger of the two, with about 1,235 undergraduates against 873 at Lees-McRae College.
Does Catawba College or Lees-McRae College have a better graduation rate?
Catawba College has the higher graduation rate, at about 50% against 43% at Lees-McRae College.
Do graduates of Catawba College or Lees-McRae College earn more?
Catawba College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $48,793 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,415 for Lees-McRae College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Catawba College and Lees-McRae College require SAT or ACT scores?
Catawba College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Lees-McRae College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Catawba College and Lees-McRae College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1030–1300 at Catawba College and 1040–1240 at Lees-McRae College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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