A small, private 4-year college associated with the Presbyterian Church, Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina is one of the only American colleges to be named in honor of female professionals.
Initially a small all-girls high school, Lees-McRae gradually made the transition to a 4-year college over the course of its century-long existence.
Today, Lees-McRae College’s academic offerings fall under two colleges, The School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional Studies. There are nearly 30 majors and degree programs divided among these two colleges, with popular courses of study including nursing, business, education, wildlife studies, and performing arts. In addition, several of the school’s branches focus on degree completion programs geared to help students who have dropped out or transferred from other universities complete their courses of study and enter the workforce on an expedited track.
Lees-McRae College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCC).
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Lees-McRae College.
Applicants to Lees-McRae College are evaluated based on three main areas: high school curriculum, high school completion, and SAT scores. The Lees-McRae College requirements demand a moderately rigorous high school curriculum, including successful completion of standard sequences of English, math, science, and history courses. Either a high school diploma or proof of a GED must be submitted for admission. In addition, all prospective students must sit for the SAT exam and have their scores forwarded to the Lees-McRae College admission office.
Financial Aid
In order to receive priority consideration for grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid, prospective Lees-McRae College students are advised to submit their FAFSA and other materials prior to mid-March. The school offers a significant array of financial aid and financing options, and a remarkable 90% of the student body at Lees-McRae College receives some form of financial assistance. Loans, state and federal grants, merit- and need-based scholarships, and work-study positions are reported to be the most frequently disbursed forms of financial aid on the Lees-McRae College campus.
In many respects, Lees-McRae College hews closely to the traditional idea of campus life, with large proportions of the student body living on campus in residence halls and participating actively in campus-centered events, groups, and activities. Freshmen are required to live on campus, and many upperclassmen choose to carry on this tradition. Although the student body is now evenly split between male and female students, Lees-McRae College offers many of the activities and sports that have long been associated with all-female schools. Popular clubs and organizations include Amnesty International, Backpacking Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Social Dance Club, Students Against a Vanishing Environment (SAVE), and Students of All Races (SOAR).
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Lees-McRae College?
Athletics are an important component of campus life at Lees-McRae College, where the Bobcats field men’s and women’s teams in a variety of varsity sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, cycling, and track. Most of the school’s teams participate in the NCAA’s Division II. Intramurals are also an important part of campus life at Lees-McRae College, with regular matches held in traditional sports, as well as more novel activities such as Ultimate Frisbee and billiards.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Banner Elk, NC 28604-0128
Surrounding community
Distant rural area (between 5 to 25 mi. away from an urban area)
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Banner Elk, NC 28604-0128
p. 828-898-5241
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