Lee University — College Profile

About

Lee University is a private, Christ-centered liberal arts institution in Cleveland, Tennessee, widely recognized for its nationally acclaimed School of Music, strong Helen DeVos College of Education, and reputable programs in nursing and pastoral ministry. Campus life is shaped by a close-knit, faith-focused community with regular chapel services, lively performing arts traditions—highlighted by renowned collegiate vocal ensembles—and competitive NCAA Division II athletics. A standout hallmark of the undergraduate experience is the Global Perspectives graduation requirement, which ensures every student engages in cross-cultural service or international travel before earning their degree.

Wikipedia: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.

Location

Cleveland, TN, 37311 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

ATL · Atlanta

108 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$23,790

Housing & food (on campus)$10,110

Books & supplies$1,320

Cost of attendance$35,688

Average net price$18,878

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$23,790

Housing & food (on campus)$10,110

Books & supplies$1,320

Cost of attendance$35,688

Average net price$18,878

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income

$0–30k

$12,834

$30–48k

$13,845

$48–75k

$17,029

$75–110k

$19,699

$110k+

$24,641

Your family's actual price → Lee University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Grants from the school

99% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $10,596

Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)

Merit aid

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$6,682

Share of first-years who get one33%

Source: Lee University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

62%

Within 4 yrs

51%

Back for yr 2

82%

Transferred

24%

Pell students: 54.4% · others: 66.7%

8 yrs after starting

60% graduated · 25% transferred · 15% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings

6 yrs after entry$38,082

10 yrs after entry$43,222

Debt

Median at graduation$25,750

Monthly payment$273

Middle 50% owe$6.3k–$30.3k

90th percentile$40,712

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (medium programs): 52% graduate within 6 yrs.

Admissions

Getting in

Admit rate

71%

Test policy

Test optional

SAT average

1145

R 540–630 · M 500–600

ACT midpoint

Comp 20–27 · E 20–28 · M 17–25

SAT middle 50%: 1040–1230

40080012001600

Admitted students

Admit rate: men 71.9% · women 69.8%

Yield: 35.0% of admitted students enroll

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Essay prompts

If Lee University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body

Gender

Men 39%Women 61%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

13 : 1

Pell grant

29%

First-gen

31%

Family income

$49,230

Independent

24%

Age at entry

23.0

Part-time

Where first-years come from

In state (TN)

50.6%

Out of state

45.2%

International

3.9%

Most out-of-state first-years from: GA 76 · FL 28 · NC 25 · AL 19 · OH 18

Race & ethnicity

White

80%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division II without football

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs

After 6 yrs

$38,082

After 10 yrs

$43,222

Psychology, General74

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing67

Business Administration, Management and Operations63

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries60

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities53

Health/Medical Preparatory Programs32

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods31

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas25

Music24

Accounting and Related Services23

Communication and Media Studies20

Marketing20

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication18

Fine and Studio Arts18

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services17

History16

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$33M

Full-time faculty

84%

Faculty salary

$7,655/mo

Teaching spend

$8,868

per student

Federal loans

42%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (medium programs)

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, selective admissions