Lees-McRae College vs Shaw University
Lees-McRae College is a private college in Banner Elk, NC. Shaw University is a private university in Raleigh, NC. Lees-McRae College admits about 77% of applicants and Shaw University about 80%, making Lees-McRae College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,512 a year at Shaw University after aid, and about $28,340 at Lees-McRae College. About 43% of students graduate at Lees-McRae College, compared with 21% at Shaw University. Ten years after enrolling, Lees-McRae College alumni earn a median of about $43,415, against $34,409 for Shaw University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Banner Elk, NC
Raleigh, NC
Setting
Rural
Urban
Undergraduates
873
875
Acceptance rate
77%
80%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.4–3.9
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1040–1240
770–958
ACT (middle 50%)
20–26
Not reported
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,340
$16,512
Full cost / yr
$49,498
$30,861
In-state tuition
$33,250
$17,538
Out-of-state tuition
$33,250
$17,538
Application fee
$25
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,030
$16,236
$30k - $48k
$22,733
$16,276
$48k - $75k
$25,905
$21,145
$75k - $110k
$28,854
Not reported
Over $110k
$33,664
$24,966
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
21%
Freshman retention
69%
52%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$41,599
$26,148
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,415
$34,409
Median debt at graduation
$17,375
$32,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
37%
66%
First-generation students
40%
40%
International students
5%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 15
Not reported
Regular decision
May 1
Rolling
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 Shaw University harder to get into?
- Lees-McRae College is harder to get into. It admits about 77% of applicants, compared with 80% at Shaw University. 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 Shaw University?
- Shaw University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,512 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 Shaw University?
- Before aid, Shaw University costs about $30,861 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 Shaw University?
- Shaw University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,236 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 Shaw University?
- Shaw University is the larger of the two, with about 875 undergraduates against 873 at Lees-McRae College.
- Does Lees-McRae College or Shaw University have a better graduation rate?
- Lees-McRae College has the higher graduation rate, at about 43% against 21% at Shaw University.
- Do graduates of Lees-McRae College or Shaw University earn more?
- Lees-McRae College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $43,415 ten years after enrolling, against about $34,409 for Shaw University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Lees-McRae College and Shaw University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Lees-McRae College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Shaw University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Lees-McRae College and Shaw University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1040–1240 at Lees-McRae College and 770–958 at Shaw 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 Carolina UniversityShaw University vs University of North Carolina School of the ArtsShaw University vs Saint Augustine's UniversityShaw University vs Carolina University
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