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Lees-McRae College

Banner Elk, NC·Private·www.lmc.edu/
NCAA D2Graduate Programs
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Campus Identity

NCAA D2Graduate Programs

Lees-McRae College is a small private nonprofit university in Banner Elk, NC. Approximately 873 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 77% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 3 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 35/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Lees-McRae College is a small private nonprofit university in Banner Elk, NC. Approximately 873 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 77% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 3 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 35/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

77%
Acceptance Rate
2,084 applications
23
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$26,490
In-State Tuition
+$1,800 fees
$26,490
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,800 fees
$15,200
Room & Board
873
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
14%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D2
Athletics
Carolinas
Selectivity77% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D2

Carolinas

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Rural setting

Ski Access

2 miles

Beech Mountain Resort →

Weather

Cold Climate

45°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Beech Mountain Resort

North Carolina

2 mi away
95 skiable acres8 lifts
Sugar Mountain Resort

North Carolina

3 mi away
125 skiable acres8 lifts
Hawksnest Snow Tubing

North Carolina

3 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Banner Elk, NC

31°Jan34°Feb40°Mar50°Apr58°May65°Jun68°Jul67°Aug61°Sep51°Oct42°Nov35°Dec

Station: BANNER ELK · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

35/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety304531
30/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
45/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
31/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$26,490
Fees
$1,800
Room & Board
$15,200
Total
$43,490
App Fee: $25

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

25 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Zoology/Animal BiologyBachelor's
48 grads/yr$38,699
Human Services, GeneralBachelor's
36 grads/yr$43,273
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's
25 grads/yr$50,085
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
21 grads/yr$45,862
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
16 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's14 grads$87,523
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's14 grads$60,108
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor's25 grads$50,085
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's21 grads$45,862
Psychology, General
Bachelor's8 grads$44,161
Human Services, General
Bachelor's36 grads$43,273
Zoology/Animal Biology
Bachelor's48 grads$38,699
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's16 grads
Biology, General
Bachelor's12 grads
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
Bachelor's4 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lees-McRae College located?

Lees-McRae College is located in Banner Elk, NC. The main campus address is 191 Main Street, Banner Elk, NC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Lees-McRae College?

Lees-McRae College has an acceptance rate of 77%, making it accessible. Out of 2,084 applicants, 1,600 were admitted in the most recent year. 873 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Lees-McRae College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Lees-McRae College scored between ? and ? on the ACT, with a median of 23. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Lees-McRae College?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Lees-McRae College charges $26,490/year in tuition. Including room and board ($15,200/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $28,290/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Lees-McRae College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Lees-McRae College?

The undergraduate application fee at Lees-McRae College is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Lees-McRae College have college sports?

Yes — Lees-McRae College competes at the NCAA D2 level in the Carolinas. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.

Is Lees-McRae College the right fit for me?

Whether Lees-McRae College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (77% admit rate), cost ($26,490/year out-of-state), campus culture in Banner Elk, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Lees-McRae College against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Lees-McRae College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Banner Elk, NC
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NCAA D2
Conference
Carolinas
School Year Weather
Cold · 45°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
35/100
Nearest Airport
Blountville, TN (TRI) · 37 mialso HKY (40 mi), AVL (63 mi)

Official Links

Official WebsiteApply NowFinancial AidNet Price Calculator

Location

Banner Elk, NC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.