Belmont Abbey College vs Lees-McRae College
Belmont Abbey College and Lees-McRae College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Belmont Abbey College, rooted in the Benedictine tradition, emphasizes a liberal arts education, while Lees-McRae College, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, focuses on experiential learning and career preparation. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these colleges cater to different academic aspirations and personal preferences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover which college aligns best with your unique goals and aspirations, ensuring a fulfilling and successful academic journey.
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![]() Belmont Abbey College |
![]() Lees-McRae College |
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Overview |
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Location | Belmont, North Carolina | Banner Elk, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Rural: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 65.0% | 67.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Presbyterian |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 98.9% | 59.2% |
Application fees | $50 | $25 |
SAT range | 1028 - 1206 | 1040 - 1240 |
ACT range | 18 - 25 | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 12.0% | 17.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 17.0% | 26.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,841 | 1,777 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,821 | 1,052 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 428 | 247 |
Yield rate | 23.5% | 23.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $31,400 | $43,040 |
Average net price | $21,821 | $25,894 |
Tuition | $18,500 | $26,490 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,996
Meal plan:
$4,696
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Room/dormitory:
$5,400
Meal plan:
$6,150
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $10,177 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,350 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,528 |
75.0%
Average amount $6,664 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $14,585 |
6.0%
Average amount $13,196 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,507
Men 52.0% Women 48.0% |
872
Men 34.7% Women 65.3% |
Graduate students |
10
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
1
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 47.5% |
International students | 3.0% | 3.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 912 | 680 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | North Carolina South Carolina Florida Virginia Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 45.8% | 40.4% |
Dropout rate | 53.9% | 18.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 41.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Zoology/Animal Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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