Lees-McRae College's published cost of attendance is $49,498. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $23,030, middle-income families pay around $25,905, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,664.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $49,498 |
| Tuition and Fees | $33,250 |
| Room and Board | $15,200 |
| Books and Supplies | $600 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$21,158 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $28,340 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $23,030 |
| $30–48k | $22,733 |
| $48–75k | $25,905 |
| $75–110k | $28,854 |
| $110k+ | $33,664 |
Lees-McRae College's published cost of attendance is $49,498. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $23,030, middle-income families pay around $25,905, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,664. Azimuth ranks Lees-Mcrae College #767 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Lees-McRae participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, supplemented by institutional aid. The difference between published cost of attendance and net price — sometimes called the "net price illusion" — can be substantial at institutions with strong aid programs, though the magnitude varies by income level and individual circumstances. Families should review the institution's financial aid page and use the net price calculator to estimate their specific out-of-pocket cost. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $17,375, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,576; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. See the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,979, median federal debt of $17,375 projects to a monthly payment of about $196 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Lees-McRae College earn median 4-year earnings of $50,979, placing Lees-Mcrae College in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,802 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lees-Mcrae College in the 37.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lees-Mcrae College #1119 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's concentration in Biological Sciences, a field where employers actively recruit and career earnings tend to grow steadily through the first decade after graduation. The earnings pattern is anchored in the institution's largest and highest-returning programs. Business Administration is the dominant field, combining substantial enrollment with solid early-career pay. The Business Administration program graduates 35 students earning median 4-year earnings of $60,108, performing at 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. The Zoology/Animal Biology program graduates 33 students earning $38,699, and the The Teacher Education program graduates 29 students earning $45,862. Together, these programs form the core of Lees-McRae's degree output and drive the institution's overall earnings profile.
