Lees-McRae College
Lees-McRae College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Lees-McRae College Worth It?
At a value score of 17/100, Lees-McRae College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $43,415 — 19% below average — while paying $28,340/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Lees-McRae College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Lees-McRae College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #117 of 144 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #4 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #117 | Lees-McRae College | 17 | $28,340 | $43,415 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Lees-McRae College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in NC.
Best Programs at Lees-McRae College
The highest-earning program at Lees-McRae College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $62,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Zoology/Animal Biology at $18,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Lees-McRae College earns $62,700, while a Zoology/Animal Biology graduate earns $18,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $16,000 in median debt vs. $19,500 for Zoology/Animal Biology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,340/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,700 | $62,700 | $16,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,600 | $34,600 | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,200 | $34,200 | $15,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,600 | $28,600 | $16,875 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $18,300 | $18,300 | $19,500 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Banner Elk, NC
- Student Body
- 873 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,340
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,415
- Median Student Debt
- $17,375