Lees-McRae College
Banner Elk, NC · Private four-year · Rural: Distant
818undergraduates
77%admitted
Test-optionalSAT/ACT
$26,009average net price per year
44%graduate in 6 years
62%return for year two
Admissions
- Applicants
- 1,787
- Admitted
- 1,443
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Admit rate, women
- 82%
- Admit rate, men
- 78%
- Admitted students who enroll
- 14%
- First-year students
- 199
- SAT/ACT
- Test-optional
- Students who sent SAT scores
- 0%
- Students who sent ACT scores
- 0%
| High school GPA | Required |
|---|---|
| High school record | Required |
| College-prep coursework | Required |
| SAT or ACT scores | Considered, not required |
| Recommendations | Considered, not required |
| Essay or personal statement | Required |
| Class rank | Considered, not required |
| Demonstrated competencies | Not considered |
| English proficiency test | Required |
| Work experience | Considered, not required |
| Legacy status | Considered, not required |
Majors
19 undergraduate programs that awarded a degree or certificate last year, grouped by field. Numbers are how many were awarded.
Biological and biomedical sciences (2)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General Bachelor's (10 awarded)
- Wildlife Biology Bachelor's (42 awarded)
Parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology (4)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology Bachelor's (6 awarded)
- Outdoor Education Bachelor's (2 awarded)
- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General Bachelor's (11 awarded)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management Bachelor's (7 awarded)
Education (2)
- Elementary Education and Teaching Bachelor's (18 awarded)
- Special Education and Teaching, General Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Business, management, marketing, and related support services (1)
- Business Administration and Management, General Bachelor's (20 awarded)
Public administration and social service professions (1)
- Human Services, General Bachelor's (20 awarded)
Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services (1)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Bachelor's (19 awarded)
Agricultural/animal/plant/veterinary science and related fields (1)
- Pre-Veterinary Studies Bachelor's (10 awarded)
Psychology (1)
- Psychology, General Bachelor's (7 awarded)
Communication, journalism, and related programs (1)
- Communication and Media Studies, Other Bachelor's (6 awarded)
Health professions and related programs (1)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse Bachelor's (5 awarded)
English language and literature/letters (1)
- English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's (3 awarded)
History (1)
- History, General Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Multi/interdisciplinary studies (1)
- Nutrition Sciences Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Visual and performing arts (1)
- Visual and Performing Arts, General Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Graduate programs (1)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Master's
Cost and aid
- Tuition and fees, in-state
- $31,140
- Housing and food on campus
- $13,730
- Books and supplies
- $600
- Other on-campus costs
- $4,420
- Total cost on campus, in-state
- $49,890
- Total cost on campus, out-of-state
- $49,890
- Total cost living at home
- $36,160
Published prices for 2023-24.
| Family income | Per year |
|---|---|
| $0-30,000 | $18,829 |
| $30,001-48,000 | $21,139 |
| $48,001-75,000 | $20,899 |
| $75,001-110,000 | $26,761 |
| Over $110,000 | $29,115 |
Net price is the full cost minus grants and scholarships, for full-time first-year students who got aid in 2022-23.
- First-year students who got any aid
- 100%
- Got grants or scholarships
- 100%
- Average grant or scholarship
- $19,843
- Got a grant from the college
- 100%
- Average grant from the college
- $16,663
- Undergraduates with a Pell grant
- 37%
- First-year students who borrowed
- 91%
- Average amount borrowed
- $7,278
Graduation
- Bachelor's in 4 years
- 40%
- Bachelor's in 5 years
- 44%
- Bachelor's in 6 years
- 44%
- Bachelor's in 8 years
- 40%
- Any degree in 6 years (all students)
- 44%
- Transferred to another college
- 40%
- Came back for year two
- 62%
| Pell grant students | 41% |
|---|---|
| Subsidized loan, no Pell | 43% |
| Neither | 53% |
| Group | Students | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 124 | 48% |
| Men | 84 | 39% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1 | 100% (small group) |
| Black | 13 | 15% (small group) |
| Hispanic | 22 | 45% |
| White | 133 | 46% |
| Two or more races | 6 | 17% (small group) |
| Race unknown | 28 | 50% |
| International | 5 | 60% (small group) |
| Started | Students | Earned a degree or certificate here | Enrolled at another college |
|---|---|---|---|
| Started here, full-time | 201 | 40% | 43% |
| Started here, part-time | 1 | 0% (small group) | 0% |
| Transferred in, full-time | 275 | 79% | 12% |
| Transferred in, part-time | 3 | 100% (small group) | 0% |
Graduation rates follow students who started full-time for the first time in fall 2017. Groups under 20 students are marked because a few students change the rate a lot.
Students
- Total students
- 839
- Undergraduates
- 818
- Full-time undergraduates
- 795
- Part-time undergraduates
- 23
- Graduate students
- 21
- Students per faculty member
- 10 to 1
- First-year students from in state
- 52%
- From out of state
- 44%
- From other countries
- 4%
- Undergraduates age 25 and up
- 13%
- Undergraduates taking all classes online
- 18%
- Undergraduates registered with disability services
- 14%
| Women | 67% |
|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1% |
| Asian | 2% |
| Black | 8% |
| Hispanic | 5% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0% |
| White | 74% |
| Two or more races | 1% |
| Race unknown | 4% |
| International | 4% |
Campus life
- Setting
- Rural: Distant
- Address
- 191 Main Street, Banner Elk, NC, 28604
- County
- Avery County
- Type
- Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- Highest degree
- Master's degree
- Academic calendar
- Semester
- Religious affiliation
- Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Athletics
- NCAA
- Teams include
- basketball, cross country and track
- Offers
- Study abroad, Undergraduate research, Teacher certification, Weekend or evening classes, Online programs, Credit for AP exams, Yellow Ribbon (veterans)
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2022-23 to 2024-25 surveys), and the College Scorecard.