Saint Benedict vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Saint Benedict is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,429 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Saint Benedict is located in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Saint Benedict 11:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Saint Benedict vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Benedict or Lees-McRae College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Saint Benedict than Lees-McRae College ($28,400 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Benedict are 17.4% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,550 vs. $15,200).
• College of Saint Benedict is 67.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $22,506 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.7% higher at Saint Benedict than at Lees McRae College (about $22,506 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at Lees McRae College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 102.5% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($40,048 vs. $19,774).

Saint Benedict vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Benedict or Lees-McRae College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lees-McRae College and Saint Benedict.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is the same as at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Lees-McRae College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 20/27; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Benedict - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Saint Benedict vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Saint Benedict vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Benedict and Lees-McRae College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $19,400 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $6,343 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($206 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.