High Country Times

In 2022, 36.5% of Avery County students played sports on collegiate teams, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The county’s only university was represented by 157 men and 150 women who played for one or more sports teams in 2022. This does not include students playing intramural sports.

Avery County paid a total of $2,492,696 in athletically-related financial aid during 2022.

Data shows that soccer was the most popular sport played, followed by track and field, lacrosse.

Students who play sports often have higher graduation rates than non-athletes. More female than male athletes graduate.

The average institutional gift aid for student-athletes is $17,000, with 80% of them receive some kind of academic grant or need-based scholarship.

Institution	Total Enrollment	Student-athletes Enrollment	Student-athletes ratio
Lees-McRae College	840	307	2.7