Banner Elk, NC · Private Nonprofit

Lees-McRae College Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Lees-McRae College cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Review carefully Value Score:
Total Cost$49,498
Net Price$28,340
Median Earnings$43,415
Graduation Rate42.1%
Median Debt$12,000
Admission Rate76.8%
Student Count873
SAT AverageN/A

Lees-McRae College Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $28,340
Money available $0
Still needed per year $28,340
Monthly gap $2,362

Four-year projection: about $113,360 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $12,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$43,415Total cost$49,498Net price$28,340Median debt$12,000

Value Score Comparison

Lees-McRae College43.8Dataset avg54.3NC avg51.0
Median earnings22% weaker than dataset average
$43,415
Total annual cost14% weaker than dataset average
$49,498
Average net price32% weaker than dataset average
$28,340
Graduation rate14.7 percentage points weaker than dataset average
42.1%
Median debt26% better than dataset average
$12,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

NC Average

Value Score: 51.0

Net Price: $19,857

Earnings: $48,924

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $28,340, compared with reported total cost of $49,498.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $43,415 and the graduation rate is 42.1%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $12,000, while the loan share is 59.4%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 76.8% and Pell Grant share is 37.3%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePrivate Nonprofit
LocationBanner Elk, NC
Admission Rate76.8%
In-State Tuition$33,250
Out-of-State Tuition$33,250
Total Cost$49,498
Net Price$28,340
Median Earnings$43,415
Graduation Rate42.1%
Median Debt$12,000
Pell Grant Share37.3%
Loan Share59.4%
Average Faculty Salary$6,116
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 17.4 + graduation 10.5 + net price 5.6 + total cost 3.8 + debt 6.6 = 43.8/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings17.4$43,415 · max 40 pts
Graduation10.542.1% · max 25 pts
Net Price5.6$28,340 · max 15 pts
Total Cost3.8$49,498 · max 10 pts
Debt6.6$12,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.