Lee University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. a private nonprofit school with 2,617 students.
About This School
Lee University is a private nonprofit institution located in Cleveland, Tennessee with approximately 2,617 undergraduate students enrolled. Lee University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 71%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,878 per year. The graduation rate is 63%, and the typical graduate earns $37,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Lee University is a private Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1918 as the Church of God Bible Training School with twelve students and one teacher, Nora I. Chambers. The school grew to become Lee College, with a Bible college and junior college on its current site, in 1948. Twenty years later, Lee received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a four-year liberal arts college. In 1997, Lee became a university; it now offers master's degrees as well as undergraduate degrees.
Worth considering if you're looking for a faith-centered liberal arts experience with a relatively affordable net price of around $20,400/year and manageable debt at graduation. The 61% graduation rate is a real concern — nearly 4 in 10 students don't finish — and median earnings of $37,800 a decade out suggest limited financial upside for many graduates. This fits best for students who prioritize the Christian community and mission over career-driven outcomes, and who have a clear plan to stay enrolled and finish.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,617 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Tennessee
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · Public
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN · Public
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · Public
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public
South College
Knoxville, TN · Private for-profit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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