Lees-McRae College
Banner Elk, North Carolina · Private, nonprofit · 873 undergraduates
All 7 programs with reported earnings leave graduates out-earning a typical North Carolina high-school graduate (about $34,059/yr). Another 18 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $23,030 |
| $30k to $48k | $22,733 |
| $48k to $75k | $25,905 |
| $75k to $110k | $28,854 |
| $110k and up | $33,664 |
| All families (average) | $28,340 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $60,108 | +$26,049 | clears the bar | $17,605 | 0.7 yrs |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | Bachelor's Degree | $38,699 | +$4,640 | clears the bar | $23,000 | 5 yrs |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | $50,085 | +$16,026 | clears the bar | $14,050 | 0.9 yrs |
| Human Services, General | Bachelor's Degree | $43,273 | +$9,214 | clears the bar | $13,000 | 1.4 yrs |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's Degree | $45,862 | +$11,803 | clears the bar | $15,000 | 1.3 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $44,161 | +$10,102 | clears the bar | $25,624 | 2.5 yrs |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's Degree | $87,523 | +$53,464 | clears the bar | $19,339 | 0.4 yrs |
Access and outcomes: 37% of students receive Pell grants · 42% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.