Lees-McRae College vs Shorter University
Lees-McRae College and Shorter University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Lees-McRae, nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on experiential learning and outdoor adventure. Shorter University, rooted in a strong Christian tradition, emphasizes academic excellence and spiritual growth in a supportive environment. While both universities share a commitment to student success, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Lees-McRae College |
![]() Shorter University |
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Overview |
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Location | Banner Elk, North Carolina | Rome, Georgia |
Campus setting | Rural: Distant | City: Small |
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 | 67.0% | 68.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | Baptist |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 59.2% | 81.2% |
Application fees | $25 |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
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SAT range | 1040 - 1240 | 960 - 1190 |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 17 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 26.0% | 17.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,777 | 1,149 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,052 | 933 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 247 | 309 |
Yield rate | 23.5% | 33.1% |
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) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $43,040 | $40,961 |
Average net price | $25,894 | $16,438 |
Tuition | $26,490 | $22,380 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,400
Meal plan:
$6,150
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Room/dormitory:
$5,000
Meal plan:
$4,400
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $18,350 |
99.0%
Average amount $18,107 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
75.0%
Average amount $6,664 |
64.0%
Average amount $5,550 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $13,196 |
6.0%
Average amount $9,447 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
872
Men 34.7% Women 65.3% |
1,332
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Graduate students |
1
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
128
Men 53.1% Women 46.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 47.5% | 15.2% |
International students | 3.3% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 680 | 760 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina South Carolina Florida Virginia Georgia | Georgia Alabama Florida Tennessee Arizona |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 15:1 |
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 | 40.4% | 37.2% |
Dropout rate | 18.2% | 62.4% |
Transferred out | 41.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
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