Banner Elk, NC · Private University
Is Lees-McRae College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$43,415
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$31,140
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,140
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$124,560
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.39x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
14.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
44.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,375
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$25,765
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Lees-McRae College graduates earn $1,585 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Lees-McRae College ranked by graduate earnings
61 graduates
24 graduates
41 graduates
36 graduates
37 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Lees-McRae College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Lees-McRae College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $72,955) and the lowest (Criminal Justice and Corrections: $31,811) is $41,144/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $72,955 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,864 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,705 | 1.2x |
| Human Services, General(1yr data) | $34,811 | 1.1x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $33,123 | 1.1x |
| Criminal Justice and CorrectionsLowest | $31,811 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Lees-McRae College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $43,415 10 years after starting, $1,585 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 14.8 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.