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Private nonprofit, 4-Year
Banner Elk, NC

Lees-McRae College

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in NC. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$31,140

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

80.8%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

45.2%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$43,415

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

Lees-McRae College is a distinguished Private nonprofit, 4-Year institution located in Banner Elk, NC. With a competitive tuition profile of $31,140, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 45.2% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$124,560

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

9.3 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$13,415

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$9,590

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$143,740

Long-term projected return on your education investment

Graduation Rate: 45%

Students who don't graduate may still carry debt without the full earnings benefit. Consider program-specific outcomes in the Career Paths section below.

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Lees-McRae College is $17,375.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
66.7%
33.3%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

White
74.1%
Black
8.3%
Hispanic
5.3%
International
4.0%
Unknown
4.0%
Asian
1.7%
Two or more
1.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.2%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

0

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

0

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$31,140

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$18,829
$30k - $48k$21,139
$48k - $75k$20,899
$75k+$26,761

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$17,375
Pell Grant Recipients37.4%
Using Federal Loans86.6%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment55.3%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

62.3%

Success

45.2%

In-State Cost

$31,140

Age 25+ Students

13.0%

Carnegie Class

Baccalaureate: Diverse

Working at 6yr

524 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Banner Elk (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Banner Elk (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.