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Lees-McRae College

#1254 in US ranking Banner Elk, NC
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$53,853
Tuition & fees
$35,390
Avg. aid
$18,588
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
77%
Avg. SAT
1140
Avg. ACT
23

Outcomes

Graduation rate
42%
Median salary
$40,800
1 yr after graduation

What does Lees-McRae College offer in terms of athletics?

Lees-McRae's Bobcats compete in NCAA Division II athletics and are affiliated with Conference Carolinas. Its intercollegiate opportunities include sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, and track and field. Students interested in a particular team should check its current roster and recruiting information rather than assume that every sport appearing in a broad activities listing is an NCAA varsity program.

Varsity competition differs from club sports and informal recreation in eligibility, time commitment, and oversight. The mountain setting also supports outdoor activities, but access to recreational outings should not be confused with a place on a competitive team. Prospective student-athletes should review NCAA eligibility rules and discuss both academic fit and the actual costs of attendance with the appropriate offices.

What student groups and Associations are available at Lees-McRae College?

Lees-McRae students have opportunities to organize activities and take part in interest-based groups. Reported examples include the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, LMCinema, Hooked on Crochet, and Fellowship of Christian Students.

These examples show several ways to participate: representing students, planning events, sharing a hobby, or joining a faith-based group. Club rosters and meeting schedules can change between academic years, so a prospective student seeking a particular organization should check the current student-activities directory. A recognized student organization is also different from a college-run service or an informal group of friends.

Who studies at Lees-McRae College?

Lees-McRae enrolled 910 students in the reported 2024-25 data, making it a comparatively small college. The entering figures include 223 first-time degree-seeking students and 107 transfer-in students.

Among students whose origins were reported, approximately 44% came from North Carolina, 50% from other U.S. states, and 5% from other countries; rounded percentages need not sum to exactly 100%. Most students were of traditional college age: 656 were ages 18 through 21. The college also enrolled students in older age groups, a reminder that the same campus serves transfers and other learners as well as recent high school graduates.

How does student life look like at Lees-McRae College?

Student life at Lees-McRae is shaped by its small enrollment, residential population, and Banner Elk setting. About 75% of students reportedly live on campus, so residence halls and campus programming are likely to be important places to meet peers.

Students can also take part in performing arts and choral activities. Reported support services include a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling. For a prospective student, useful questions concern how to access those services, what happens after hours, and what orientation or first-year support is available. The size and location of the college may appeal differently to someone seeking a close-knit residential routine and someone who expects the range of services and transportation options of a large urban campus.

What libraries are available to students at Lees-McRae College?

The college's main library is the Dotti M. Shelton Learning Commons. It provides a place for academic study, and students can reserve study rooms.

Students planning research-heavy coursework should check the learning commons' current hours and ask how to access databases, journals, research assistance, and materials beyond its physical collection. Online access and borrowing arrangements can matter especially to students taking courses remotely or completing work away from Banner Elk.

Lees-McRae College Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

910

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

261

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

67 full time, 41 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Lees-McRae College Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 873
Graduate: 37

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 890
Part-time: 20

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 168
Men: 93

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 15
Black or African American: 13
White: 68
American Indian or Alaska Native: 1
Asian: 3
Unknown: 152

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Lees-McRae College Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Basketball

BothBothBoth

Cheerleading

Both–Men

Cross-country running

BothBothBoth

Equestrian sports

Both––

Football

WomenWomen–

Lacrosse

BothBothMen

Skiing (downhill)

Both–Women

Soccer

BothBothBoth

Softball

WomenWomen–

Tennis

BothBothMen

Track and field

BothBothMen

Volleyball

BothBothMen

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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