• July 11th, 2011

• Author:

  Echota   

Is there anything more inviting than a college town? Echota is close to two prestigious institutions of higher learning: Appalachian State University and Lees McRae College, both of which offer plentiful cultural attractions, sporting events and opportunities for higher learning and continuing education.

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State is a public institution and part of the University of North Carolina system. Almost 17,000 students are enrolled at the school, nestled at the base of Howard’s Knob in Boone, NC. The lovely 410-acre main campus is included in the National Wildlife Federation report card of environmental friendly campuses. ASU’s academic reputation is reflected by high rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2010 America’s Best Colleges Guide, Consumers Digest’s listing of the top 50 best values for public colleges and universities and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s “100 Best Values in Public Colleges.” The school offers 142 graduate and undergraduate majors and boasts a 63.9% graduation rate, fourth highest in the University of North Carolina system. For all of Appalachian State’s academic achievement, the school is arguably best known for consecutive NCAA Division I FCS national championship titles in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Lees McRae College

Lees McRae is a private, Presbyterian-affiliated four-year institution located in Banner Elk, NC. Over 900 students are enrolled in 22 major programs of study and several additional minor programs.  Through a curriculum rooted in a liberal arts core and emphasizing leadership and service, graduates obtain knowledge, skills, and a holistic understanding of themselves and the world.

You never stop learning. And when you have a mountain home in the High Country, you’ll have plenty of opportunity.