Lee University
#5 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,222 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $18,878 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $926,478.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lee University Matters
Lee University is a private university in Cleveland, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,617
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 57
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Lee University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 71% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1040–1230. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,878 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,222 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $25,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 55% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.65 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 2,600 students, Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, caters to those looking for a close-knit community and a faith-based education. The acceptance rate is 71%, making it accessible for many. Students often pursue strong programs in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology, and Visual & Performing Arts, allowing them to focus on their passions while benefiting from a supportive environment.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $43,222 within ten years. This figure gives a sense of what life might look like post-degree, especially for those who enter fields with good job prospects. The affordability of attending Lee University is also noteworthy, with a net price of about $18,878 after financial aid. These factors can help students envision their future and the potential for upward mobility.
When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt load is $25,750, which is manageable compared to many other institutions. Students who thrive here often value community, faith, and a commitment to their chosen fields. This environment can help foster not only academic success but also personal growth and long-lasting connections.
Rankings
- #5 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #8 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #16 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #17 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #17 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #17 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #19 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #20 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Lee University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lee University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Cleveland, Tennessee, Lee University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,145. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- SAT Average
- 1145
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 1040–1230
- ACT Range
- 20–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 84%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,655
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.36
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 2,014
- Admitted
- 1,462
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lee University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lee University is $23,790, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,878. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,834 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $23,790
- Out-of-State
- $23,790
- Avg Net Price
- $18,878
- Median Debt
- $25,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,834
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,845
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,029
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,641
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lee University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lee University report median earnings of $43,222, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,082
- 8 Years
- $41,919
- 10 Years
- $43,222
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.6x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (358)
- 48%
- 100% (358)
- 48%
- 100% (358)
- 48%
- 100% (358)
- 48%
How Lee Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lee University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lee University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,878/year ($75,512 total). Graduates earn $43,222 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,001,990 in total earnings — a net gain of $926,478 (13.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,512
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,001,990
- Net Return
- $926,478
- ROI Multiple
- 13.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,878
- Median Debt
- $25,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lee University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lee University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.38%, well above the typical college. About 8.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $78,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.38%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $78,600
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-4,038,778
Top Programs
The fields Lee University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 15%
- Health Professions 15%
- Education 8%
- Psychology 8%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Humanities 6%
- Communications 6%
- Social Sciences 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lee University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lee University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Cleveland, Tennessee, Lee University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,145. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lee University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lee University is $23,790, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,878. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,834 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,750 in federal student loans.
Is Lee University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lee University report median earnings of $43,222, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Lee University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lee University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.38%, well above the typical college. About 8.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $78,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lee University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lee University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lee University.
- SUNY at Purchase CollegePurchase, NY · Close peer62% grad $45,092 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Husson UniversityBangor, ME · Close peer58% grad $45,025 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, AR · Close peer48% grad $42,386 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SC · Close peer55% grad $43,035 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Massachusetts College of Art and DesignBoston, MA · Close peer69% grad $43,582 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY · Close peer44% grad $41,583 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lee University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lee University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note