Lees-McRae College vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC with Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus in Indiana, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (9,073 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lees McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting); Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is in Indiana, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lees McRae College 11:1; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 23:1.

Lees-McRae College vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lees-McRae College or Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus than Lees-McRae College ($17,626 vs. $29,833).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus are 12.6% lower than at Lees McRae College ($13,286 vs. $15,200).
• Lees McRae College is 192.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (about $21,870 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $11,380.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104% higher at Lees-McRae College than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus (about $16,953 more per year; $33,250.00 vs. $16,297.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 116% larger than aid received by Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus students ($19,774 vs. $9,154).

Lees-McRae College vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lees-McRae College or Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus and Lees-McRae College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 60 points higher than at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (1080).
• Incoming Lees-McRae College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 1040/1240; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 970/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lees McRae College 20/26; Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lees-McRae College - Test-free; Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus - Test optional.
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Lees-McRae College vs. 24% at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus.

Lees-McRae College vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lees-McRae College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus? 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).

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.