# Lees-McRae College

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lees-mcrae-college

## Overview

- **Location:** Banner Elk, NC
- **Type:** Private nonprofit
- **Setting:** Rural
- **Region:** Southeast
- **Enrollment:** 873
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC, is best suited for students who thrive in a close-knit community and want to pursue hands-on learning in fields like Biology, Education, Business, Criminal Justice, or Psychology. With an acceptance rate of 77%, it's accessible for a broad range of applicants, particularly those looking for a supportive environment where they can engage deeply with their studies. The college's relatively small enrollment of 873 allows for strong connections between students and faculty, which can be a big plus for personal growth and academic success.

Looking at the outcomes, graduates from Lees-McRae earn around $43,415 ten years after finishing their degree. While the graduation rate stands at 43%, many students find their footing in the workforce, reflecting the school's emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications. For those who qualify, the Pell Grant rate of 37% suggests that financial aid is available to help alleviate costs, making the college a viable option for students from diverse economic backgrounds.

When it comes down to the numbers, the net price for students after financial aid comes to about $28,340, which is a significant investment but not uncommon for private colleges. The median debt load of $17,375 indicates that while borrowing is necessary for many, it remains manageable for graduates. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a collaborative atmosphere and are ready to engage in their educational journey, setting themselves up for future success.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 77% |
| SAT Average | N/A |
| ACT Midpoint | 23 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $33,250 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $33,250 |
| Average Net Price | $28,340 |
| Median Debt | $17,375 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 37% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 59% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $23,030 |
| $30K-$48K | $22,733 |
| $48K-$75K | $25,905 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $33,664 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 43% |
| Retention Rate | 69% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $41,599 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $44,802 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $43,415 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.4x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 31.13% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 386.1% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 806.4% |
| Parent Median Income | $83,200 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.30 |
| Friending Bias | -0.07 |
| Volunteering Rate | 6.9% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Biology & Biomedical | 27% |
| Education | 11% |
| Business & Marketing | 10% |
| Criminal Justice | 10% |
| Psychology | 4% |
| Communications | 3% |
| Health Professions | 3% |
| English & Literature | 2% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 10 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #6 in [Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-north-carolina)
- #16 in [Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-north-carolina)
- #17 in [Best Education Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-north-carolina)
- #22 in [Best Communications Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-communications-north-carolina)
- #27 in [Best Colleges for Cross-Class Networks](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-cross-class-networks)
- #38 in [Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-north-carolina)
- #39 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-north-carolina)
- #39 in [Best Master's Programs in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-north-carolina)
- #42 in [Best Business Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-north-carolina)
- #43 in [Best Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-north-carolina)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Lees-McRae College — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lees-mcrae-college