Lees-McRae College vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University than Lees-McRae College ($16,286 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 30.6% lower than at Lees McRae College ($10,554 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 217.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $22,778 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129% higher at Lees-McRae College than at East Tennessee State University (about $18,728 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lees McRae College than at East Tennessee State University (97% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 95.8% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($19,774 vs. $10,101).

Lees-McRae College vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or ETSU? 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 ETSU and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 50 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; ETSU - Test optional.
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Lees-McRae College vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and ETSU? 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).

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 50%)

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.