Lees-McRae College

www.lmc.edu

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    2024 Undergraduate Tuition
    $30,500
    5.94% growth from 2023
    2024 Average Net Price
    $29,833
    After Financial Aid
    2024 Acceptance Rate
    76.8%
    2,084 Applicants
    2024 Enrolled Students
    910
    97.8% Full-Time
    2024 Graduation Rate
    42.1%
    93 Graduates

    About

    Lees-McRae College is a higher education institution located in Avery County, NC. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Lees-McRae College were Wildlife Biology (43 degrees awarded), General Human Services (20 degrees), and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (20 degrees).

    In 2024, 214 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Lees-McRae College. 70.1% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 29.9% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (165 degrees), 11 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (15 degrees).

    The median undergraduate tuition at Lees-McRae College is $30,500, which is $2,322 more than the national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

    Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse FieldsBaccalaureate Colleges

    Costs

    In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Lees-McRae College is $30,500, which is $2,322 more than the national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

    After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $29,833.

    In 2024, 96% of undergraduate students attending Lees-McRae College received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 59% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

    Tuition Costs

    $30,500
    2024 Undergraduate Tuition

    In 2024, the cost of tuition at Lees-McRae College was $30,500. The cost of tuition at Lees-McRae College is $2,322 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Baccalaureate Colleges ($28,178).

    This chart compares the tuition costs of Lees-McRae College (in red) with those of other similar universities.

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    Average Net Price

    $29,833
    2024 Value
    14.7%
    1 Year Growth

    In 2024 Lees-McRae College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $29,833. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Lees-McRae College grew by 14.7%.

    This chart compares the average net price of Lees-McRae College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

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    Other Student Expenses

    $13,730
    Room and Board
    $600
    Books and Supplies

    The average yearly cost of room and board at Lees-McRae College was of $13,730 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 12.5% between 2023 and 2024.

    During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $600. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

    This chart compares the average student costs at Lees-McRae College (in red) with that of similar universities.

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    Financial Aid by Income Level

    96%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
    59%
    Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

    96% of undergraduate students at Lees-McRae College received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 1.03% with respect to 2023, when 97% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

    This chart compares the average award discount at Lees-McRae College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

    The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

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    Admissions

    Lees-McRae College received 2,084 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 16.6% annual growth. Out of those 2,084 applicants, 1,600 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 76.8% acceptance rate.

    There were 910 students enrolled at Lees-McRae College in 2024. 17% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    Lees-McRae College has an overall enrollment yield of 13.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

    Acceptance Rate

    76.8%
    Acceptance Rate in 2024
    1,600
    Accepted Out of 2,084

    In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Lees-McRae College was 76.8% (1,600 admissions from 2,084 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 80.7%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 16.6%, while admissions grew by 10.9%.

    This chart compares the acceptance rate of Lees-McRae College (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

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    SAT Scores

    17%
    Submission Percentage (2021)
    41
    Scores Submitted (2021)

    17% of enrolled first-time students at Lees-McRae College in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

    The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

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    Enrollment

    Lees-McRae College had a total enrollment of 910 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Lees-McRae College is 890 students and the part-time enrollment is 20. This means that 97.8% of students enrolled at Lees-McRae College are enrolled full-time.

    The enrolled student population at Lees-McRae College, both undergraduate and graduate, is 56.8% White, 6.81% Black or African American, 4.51% Hispanic or Latino, 1.43% Asian, 1.1% Two or More Races, 0.879% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.22% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

    Students enrolled at Lees-McRae College in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (43.9%), followed by White Male (20.7%) and Black or African American Female (4.73%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (54.7%), followed by White Male (11.3%) and Black or African American Female (7.55%).

    Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

    97.8%
    Full-Time Enrollment

    The total enrollment at Lees-McRae College in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 910 students. The full-time enrollment at Lees-McRae College is 890 and the part-time enrollment is 20. This means that 97.8% of students enrolled at Lees-McRae College are enrolled full-time compared with 78.9% at similar Baccalaureate Colleges.

    This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Lees-McRae College (in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Retention Rate over Time

    69%
    2024 Retention Rate

    Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Lees-McRae College was 69%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Baccalaureate Colleges (75%), Lees-McRae College had a retention rate lower than its peers.

    This chart shows the retention rate over time at Lees-McRae College (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

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    Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

    Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      517 enrolled students
    2. Black or African American
      62 enrolled students
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      41 enrolled students

    The enrolled student population at Lees-McRae College is 56.8% White, 6.81% Black or African American, 4.51% Hispanic or Latino, 1.43% Asian, 1.1% Two or More Races, 0.879% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.22% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Baccalaureate Colleges is 50.5% White, 15.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.2% Black or African American.

    Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 214 students (23.5%) did not report their race.

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    Graduates

    In 2024, 86 more women than men received degrees from Lees-McRae College. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Lees-McRae College is white (165 degrees awarded). There were 11 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (15 degrees).

    The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Lees-McRae College is Wildlife Biology (43 degrees awarded), followed by General Human Services (20 degrees) and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (20 degrees).

    In 2024,  the most specialized majors across all degree types at Lees-McRae College, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (27 degrees awarded), Biology (55 degrees), and Protective Services (30 degrees).

    Common Jobs by Major

    Physicians
    Most Common Job

    The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Lees-McRae College are Physicians (421,222 people), Other managers (234,212 people), Social workers, all other (179,504 people), Police officers (151,848 people), and Postsecondary teachers (138,893 people).

    The most specialized majors at Lees-McRae College in 2024 are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (27 degrees awarded), Biology (55 degrees), Protective Services (30 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (20 degrees), and Agriculture (10 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Highest Paying Jobs by Major

    Surgeons
    Highest Paying Job

    The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Lees-McRae College are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers, and Photographic process workers & processing machine operators

    The most specialized majors at Lees-McRae College are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (27 degrees awarded), Biology (55 degrees), Protective Services (30 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (20 degrees), and Agriculture (10 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Common Industries by Major

    General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals
    Most Common Industry

    The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Lees-McRae College are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (634,386 people), Elementary & secondary schools (406,786 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (389,040 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (378,792 people), and Offices of physicians (214,816 people).

    The most specialized majors at Lees-McRae College are Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (27 degrees awarded), Biology (55 degrees), Protective Services (30 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (20 degrees), and Agriculture (10 degrees) (as of 2024).

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    Majors Awarded

    IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Lees-McRae College.
    Most Common (2024)
    1. Wildlife Biology
      43 degrees awarded
    2. General Human Services
      20 degrees awarded
    3. Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
      20 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Lees-McRae College was Wildlife Biology with 43 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Lees-McRae College according to their major.

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    Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

    64
    Degrees Awarded to Men
    in 2024
    150
    Degrees Awarded to Women
    in 2024

    In 2024, 64 degrees were awarded to men at Lees-McRae College, which is 0.427 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (150).

    This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Lees-McRae College by degrees awarded.

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    Most Common Male Majors

    In 2024, 18 degrees were awarded to men at Lees-McRae College in General Business Administration & Management, which is 9 times more than the 2 female recipients with that same degree.

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    Most Common Female Majors

    In 2024, 32 degrees were awarded to men at Lees-McRae College in Wildlife Biology, which is 2.91 times more than the 11 male recipients with that same degree.

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    Time to Complete

    42%
    100% Completion Time
    46%
    150% Completion Time

    In 2024, 42% of students graduating from Lees-McRae College completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 46% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 47% within 200%.

    The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Baccalaureate Colleges Carnegie Classification group.

    Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Share

    Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)
    1. White
      165 degrees awarded
    2. Black or African American
      15 degrees awarded
    3. Hispanic or Latino
      13 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity at Lees-McRae College is white (165 degrees awarded). There were 11 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (15 degrees).

    5.61% of degree recipients (12 students) did not report their race.

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    Race & Ethnicity by Sex

    Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)
    1. White Female
      172 degrees awarded
    2. White Female
      144 degrees awarded
    3. White Female
      130 degrees awarded

    The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Lees-McRae College is white female (172 degrees awarded). There were 1.19 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (144 degrees).

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    Operations

    Lees-McRae College has an endowment valued at nearly $39.7M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 1.46M (3.67%) compared to the 7.58% average return (3.75M on 49.5M) across all Baccalaureate Colleges.

    In 2024, Lees-McRae College had a total salary expenditure of 26M. Lees-McRae College employs 20 Assistant professors, 17 Instructors and 13 Professors. Most academics at Lees-McRae College are Female Assistant professor (11), Male Instructor (9), and Male Professor (9).

    The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Lees-McRae College are: Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 36 employees, Management, with 30 employees, and Service with 26 employees.

    Endowment

    $39.7M
    2024 Endowment
    14.1%
    growth from 2023

    Lees-McRae College has an endowment valued at about $39.7M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Lees-McRae College grew 14.1% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $9.7M lower than than the median endowment of Baccalaureate Colleges according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

    This line chart shows how the endowment at Lees-McRae College (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

    The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields Carnegie Classification grouping.

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    Salary Expenditure

    $14.2M
    2024 Salaries
    13%
    growth from 2023

    In 2024, Lees-McRae College paid a median of $14.2M in salaries, which represents 54.8% of their overall expenditure ($26M) and a 13% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 6.25% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 9.81% growth between 2021 and 2022.

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    Instructional Salaries

    $3.63M
    Instructional Salaries
    61
    Number of Employees

    In 2024, Lees-McRae College paid a total of $3.63M to 61 employees working as instructors, which represents 25.5% of all salaries paid.

    This is compared to a median of $522k (3.48%) for similar Baccalaureate Colleges.

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    Occupations by Share

    In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Lees-McRae College were Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 36 employees, Management with 30 employees, and Service with 26 employees.

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