Barton College vs Lees-McRae College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Barton College comes closer — median earnings $47,913 against a $94,504 total, vs $43,415 at Lees-McRae College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Barton College | Lees-McRae College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,626 | $28,340 |
| Total net cost | $94,504 | $113,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,913 | $43,415 |
| Median debt | $25,877 | $17,375 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$103,444 | -$212,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Barton College or Lees-McRae College?
Barton College, at $23,626 a year after aid versus $28,340 — a gap of $4,714 a year, or $18,856 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Barton College or Lees-McRae College graduates earn more?
Barton College graduates report a median $47,913 ten years after entry, $4,498 more than the $43,415 at Lees-McRae College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Barton College or Lees-McRae College?
Lees-McRae College: its completers carry a median $17,375 in federal loans versus $25,877 at Barton College, a difference of $8,502. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at Barton College, against 42% at Lees-McRae College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.