Converse University vs Lees-McRae College
Converse University and Lees-McRae College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Converse, a private women's college in Spartanburg, South Carolina, boasts a 75% acceptance rate and a diverse student body representing 30 states and 15 countries. With a focus on liberal arts and sciences, Converse offers popular majors like psychology, business, and education. On the other hand, Lees-McRae, a private coeducational college nestled in Banner Elk, North Carolina, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 80% and a student body primarily hailing from the Southeast. Lees-McRae excels in outdoor programs and environmental studies, with popular majors including business, exercise science, and outdoor leadership. While Converse boasts a higher graduation rate of 60%, Lees-McRae's smaller class sizes may provide a more personalized learning experience. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Converse University |
![]() Lees-McRae College |
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Overview |
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Location | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Banner Elk, North Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Small | Rural: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 67.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 82.0% | 59.2% |
Application fees | $40 | $25 |
SAT range | N/A | 1040 - 1240 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 26.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,353 | 1,777 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,929 | 1,052 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 296 | 247 |
Yield rate | 15.3% | 23.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $38,348 | $43,040 |
Average net price | $17,155 | $25,894 |
Tuition | $19,500 | $26,490 |
Room & board | $11,948 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,400
Meal plan:
$6,150
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $15,551 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,350 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,208 |
75.0%
Average amount $6,664 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $11,187 |
6.0%
Average amount $13,196 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
822
Men 16.8% Women 83.2% |
872
Men 34.7% Women 65.3% |
Graduate students |
618
Men 20.1% Women 79.9% |
1
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 33.1% | 47.5% |
International students | 4.0% | 3.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 625 | 680 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Carolina North Carolina Georgia Florida Maryland | North Carolina South Carolina Florida Virginia Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 57.1% | 40.4% |
Dropout rate | 42.5% | 18.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 41.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Zoology/Animal Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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