Nichols vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nichols College is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (1,392 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

Nichols vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols 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 Lees McRae College than Nichols ($29,833 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 3.8% lower than at Nichols College ($15,200 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 28.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $9,455 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Nichols than at Lees McRae College (about $9,455 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Lees McRae College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 30.5% larger than aid received by Lees McRae College students ($25,809 vs. $19,774).

Nichols vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols 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 Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lees McRae College (1140) is 10 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

Nichols vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols 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).

• Nichols College's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 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 Nichols graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lees-McRae College students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.