Lees-McRae College vs Carolina University
Lees-McRae College is a private college in Banner Elk, NC. Carolina University is a private university in Winston-Salem, NC. Carolina University admits about 40% of applicants and Lees-McRae College about 77%, making Carolina University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $20,828 a year at Carolina University after aid, and about $28,340 at Lees-McRae College. About 43% of students graduate at Lees-McRae College, compared with 24% at Carolina University. Ten years after enrolling, Lees-McRae College alumni earn a median of about $43,415, against $32,864 for Carolina University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Banner Elk, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Setting
Rural
Urban
Undergraduates
873
460
Acceptance rate
77%
40%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.4–3.9
3.24–3.94
SAT (middle 50%)
1040–1240
840–1060
ACT (middle 50%)
20–26
16–21
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,340
$20,828
Full cost / yr
$49,498
$32,680
In-state tuition
$33,250
$17,575
Out-of-state tuition
$33,250
$17,575
Application fee
$25
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,030
$17,738
$30k - $48k
$22,733
$17,560
$48k - $75k
$25,905
$22,993
$75k - $110k
$28,854
$23,597
Over $110k
$33,664
$24,152
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
24%
Freshman retention
69%
56%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$41,599
$30,657
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,415
$32,864
Median debt at graduation
$17,375
$20,287
Student body
Pell grant recipients
37%
37%
First-generation students
40%
33%
International students
5%
33%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 15
Not reported
Regular decision
May 1
Jul 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.
- Is Lees-McRae College or Carolina University harder to get into?
- Carolina University is harder to get into. It admits about 40% 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, Lees-McRae College or Carolina University?
- Carolina University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $20,828 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 Lees-McRae College and Carolina University?
- Before aid, Carolina University costs about $32,680 a year and Lees-McRae College about $49,498. 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, Lees-McRae College or Carolina University?
- Carolina University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $17,738 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, Lees-McRae College or Carolina University?
- Lees-McRae College is the larger of the two, with about 873 undergraduates against 460 at Carolina University.
- Does Lees-McRae College or Carolina University have a better graduation rate?
- Lees-McRae College has the higher graduation rate, at about 43% against 24% at Carolina University.
- Do graduates of Lees-McRae College or Carolina University earn more?
- Lees-McRae College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $43,415 ten years after enrolling, against about $32,864 for Carolina University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Lees-McRae College and Carolina University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Lees-McRae College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Carolina University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Lees-McRae College and Carolina University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1040–1240 at Lees-McRae College and 840–1060 at Carolina University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Lees-McRae College vs University of North Carolina School of the ArtsLees-McRae College vs Saint Augustine's UniversityLees-McRae College vs Brevard CollegeCarolina University vs University of North Carolina School of the ArtsCarolina University vs Saint Augustine's UniversityCarolina University vs Brevard College
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