At $25,765/yr net price, Lees-McRae College graduates earn $43,415/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,415/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,765 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,060 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,415/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,415/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,375 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,829/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,139/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,899/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,761/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,115/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,935 | $19,339 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $44,649 | $17,605 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,393 | $15,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $14,050 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $23,456 | $25,624 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $21,052 | |
| Zoology/Animal Biology. | Bachelor | $20,596 | $23,000 |
The Risk Factor
44.2% of students at Lees-McRae College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Lees-McRae's financial return is mixed, and where you land depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns about $43,000 a decade out, which is modest for a private college charging over $25,000 a year in net price. That gap only works in your favor if you pick the right program.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It's the only bachelor's program at Lees-McRae that pays well above the school median, and it does so while keeping debt reasonable. If you're headed into nursing, the North Carolina and regional healthcare market gives you a real path to paying off that debt quickly.
Business and teacher education fall in the middle. Business lands near the school median, and teaching pays less but keeps borrowing low, which softens the blow. Criminal justice pays the least among the moderate options, so weigh that against the cost carefully.
Psychology is the program to be most cautious about. It produces the lowest earnings on this list while carrying the highest debt of any program shown here. That combination is a genuine financial risk, and if psychology is your plan, a degree here is hard to justify at this price.
Two numbers should give any family pause: only 62 percent of students return after freshman year, and 44 percent finish. Paying net price for a year or two without a degree is the worst outcome, and it happens to a lot of students here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most, with the lowest bracket paying several thousand less than families earning over $110,000. Lees-McRae is a reasonable financial fit if you're set on nursing and qualify for the lower-income pricing. If you're paying top-tier price for a low-earning major, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lees-McRae College worth the cost?
Lees-McRae College's nursing programs offer strong returns with graduates earning $63,935 annually, but other programs lag significantly. With a 44% graduation rate and median earnings of $43,415 after 10 years, the college provides mixed value depending on your major.
What are the highest paying majors at Lees-McRae College?
Nursing programs at Lees-McRae College produce the highest earnings at $63,935 annually, followed by business at $44,649. Education majors earn $34,393 while psychology graduates average just $23,456, well below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Lees-McRae College graduates have?
Lees-McRae College graduates carry a median debt of $17,375, which is manageable for nursing majors but problematic for lower-earning fields like psychology and criminal justice. The debt-to-income ratio varies dramatically by program.
Does Lees-McRae College have a good graduation rate?
Lees-McRae College has a 44% graduation rate, meaning more than half of students don't finish their degree. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall return on investment for most students.