Lee University
Lee University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lee University at a Glance
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 off…
1918
108 years old
$33M
$32.9 million (2024)
3,680
130 acres
Identity
Is Lee University Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Lee University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $43,222 — 20% below average — while paying $18,878/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $25,750 representing 60% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Lee University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Lee University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TN
Ranked #20 of 67 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #2 | John Brown University | 46 | $20,397 | $53,907 |
| #3 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #4 | Berry College | 43 | $22,320 | $53,800 |
| #5 | Harding University | 42 | $22,130 | $52,876 |
| #6 | Stetson University | 42 | $19,372 | $51,642 |
| #20 | Lee University | 35 | $18,878 | $43,222 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Lee University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in TN.
Best Programs at Lee University
The highest-earning program at Lee University is Accounting and Related Services at $51,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $21,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Lee University earns $51,600, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $21,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $30,737 in median debt vs. $20,737 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,878/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,600 | $51,600 | $30,737 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,400 | $36,400 | $26,624 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,100 | $36,100 | $26,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,100 | $34,100 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $28,000 | $28,000 | $28,250 |
| Psychology, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $27,000 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | $25,100 | $25,100 | $28,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,900 | $24,900 | $27,455 |
| Education, Other | $22,700 | $22,700 | $25,625 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $21,600 | $21,600 | $20,737 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Cleveland, TN
- Student Body
- 2,617 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,878
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,222
- Median Student Debt
- $25,750