Admit rate has ranged 72%–83% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Lee University is a private Christian liberal arts school in Cleveland, Tennessee, where faith and academics intertwine with a 70% acceptance rate and a strong emphasis on community. Known for its 100+ student organizations and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, Lee offers a blend of spiritual growth and academic rigor, particularly in theology, business, and health sciences.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,617
In-state tuition
$23,790
Out-of-state tuition
$23,790
Location
Cleveland, TN
Notable Majors
Theology, Business, Health Sciences
Acceptance Rate
70.5%
6-Year Grad Rate
61%
On-Campus Housing
50%
Student-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,222
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$25,750
Graduation rate
63%
First-year retention
82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
58%
Pell (lower-income) share
61%
First-generation share
31%
Endowment / student
$12,586
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Accounting and Related Services$55,625
Special Education and Teaching$39,099
English Language and Literature, General$39,009
Business Administration, Management and Operations$38,122
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$36,282
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
1.15
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
94
Summer high
87°F
Winter low
36°F
Annual rain
59.3"
Annual snow
3.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
117
Scholarly works
1,941
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.4%
Bottom → top quintile
16%
From bottom quintile
9%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Lee University?
Lee University's acceptance rate is approximately 71% (Cleveland, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Lee University?
Admitted students at Lee University typically score 1040–1230 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Lee University cost?
At Lee University, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,878 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Lee University?
Lee University enrolls approximately 2,617 undergraduate students.
Where is Lee University located?
Lee University is located in Cleveland, TN.
Admissions
Lee University is less selective, with a 70.5% acceptance rate (fall 2023). Admitted students typically have SAT scores between 1020–1210 or ACT scores of 20–27, though Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies apply. The average high school GPA is not officially reported, but the university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., considering extracurriculars and personal statements alongside academics. The application fee is $25, and Lee does not publicly disclose early decision/action statistics.
Middle 50% SAT: 1020–1210
Middle 50% ACT: 20–27
Test-optional: Yes (52% of enrollees submitted scores)
Lee offers across undergraduate and graduate levels, with spanning liberal arts, theology, business, and health sciences. The include , , and . Classes are small, with a , and the curriculum integrates Christian values with experiential learning. The College of Arts and Sciences anchors the liberal arts core, while online programs cater to non-traditional students.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$35,843
Sociology$35,060
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$29,374
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
over 100 programs
50+ majors
most popular majors
Theology and Religious Vocations
Business
Health Professions
12:1 student-faculty ratio
Top programs: Theology, Business, Health Sciences
Student-faculty ratio: 12:1
Online programs: Nationally ranked, flexible for working adults
Campus life revolves around faith and community, with 100+ student organizations (including ministry groups, intramurals, and arts clubs). 50% of students live on campus in modern dorms nestled among green spaces, while the rest commute. The university enforces a strict conduct code aligning with its Church of God affiliation, prohibiting alcohol and emphasizing 'wholesome attitudes.' Athletics (NCAA Division II) and campus events like worship nights foster camaraderie. Reviews highlight the friendly, small-town vibe but note limited off-campus nightlife.
Lee reports a 61% six-year graduation rate (55% for Pell Grant recipients), slightly below the national average for private colleges. The university touts strong job placement rates (though specific figures are undisclosed) and ranks in the upper tier of Southern regional universities for outcomes. General education and major-field testing assess student proficiency, but post-grad salary data is not publicly available.
Tuition runs $1,005 per credit hour (2025–26), with full-time undergrads paying $20,416 net price after aid. 69% of first-years receive need-based aid, averaging $17,827 per student. Scholarships (including ministry and merit awards) and federal grants reduce costs, but Lee does not guarantee meeting 100% of demonstrated need. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps estimate personalized aid.
Lee’s fusion of evangelical Christian culture and academic flexibility makes it unique. Unlike stricter Bible colleges, it offers secular majors like nursing and business alongside theology, attracting students seeking faith-based learning without sacrificing career options. The tight-knit campus—where half the students live—and 100+ clubs create a vibrant, if insular, community. Its 70% acceptance rate and test-optional policy make it accessible, while outcomes like a 61% graduation rate reflect its regional appeal. For students craving a conservative Christian environment with academic breadth, Lee delivers.
Lee University logo · sourceLee University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceLee University - College Profile · sourceUndergraduate Admissions - Lee University · source
