Lees-McRae College vs. Capital University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Capital University in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Capital University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (2,263 students vs. 910 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Capital University is in Columbus, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Capital University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Capital University 9:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capital University are 14.6% lower than at Lees McRae College ($12,984 vs. $15,200).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at Capital University than at Lees McRae College (about $9,984 more per year; $43,234 vs. $33,250).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Capital University than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 74.3% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($34,471 vs. $19,774).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Lees-McRae College than at Capital University (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Lees-McRae College, test optional at Capital University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Capital University May 1, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 11.8% at Capital University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Capital University graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Capital University graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 55%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.