Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee · Private Nonprofit · 70.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 27/100 · Poor Value
Lee University scores 27 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale. The core problem is a weak earnings-to-cost ratio: $30,000 median 6-year earnings against a $18,878 net price and $25,750 median debt produces a 26.2-year payback period and a 0.858 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 62.6% completion rate means more than one-third of students who start here do not finish, compounding the ROI problem. The repayment rate of 71.2% at three years is below average, indicating real loan stress among graduates. Standout exceptions: Registered Nursing (67 graduates, $67,930 year-one, ROI grade B) and Accounting (23 graduates, $53,577 year-one, ROI grade B+) are the institution's strongest financial performers. The institution has a Pentecostal Christian mission and a substantial ministerial and theology enrollment that intentionally accepts lower earnings. Pastoral Counseling (60 graduates, $35,189 year-one, ROI grade D) and Music (24 graduates, ROI grade D) reflect that mission but produce poor financial ROI by Scorecard metrics.
The data raises concerns about Lee University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score27/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period26.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Lee University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $23,790/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $23,790/yr |
| Average net price | $18,878/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $75,512 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,222 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,750 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $273 |
| Estimated payback period | 26.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 62.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,617 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Lee University is $23,790/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,878/year, or roughly $75,512 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,834/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,641/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,750 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $273 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $43,222 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.86 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,834 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,845 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,029 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,699 |
| $110,001+ | $24,641 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $12,834 per year. Four-year cost around $51,000 against $30,000 in median earnings is a serious mismatch. Low-income students attending Lee should be enrolled in one of the higher-earning programs (nursing, accounting) or have a funded graduate school plan. The 26.2-year payback period at the institutional median represents genuine long-term financial hardship for students from low-income families.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $17,029 per year, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $19,699. Four-year costs around $68,000-$79,000 are significant for this earnings profile. Middle-income families are paying near private-school prices for regional-public-level outcomes, minus the mission-alignment benefits that motivate many Lee students. Program selection is critical for these families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $24,641 per year. The financial case for full-pay attendance at Lee is poor by Scorecard metrics: $99,000 in total four-year cost against $30,000 median earnings and a 26.2-year payback. Only students with strong mission alignment, specific high-ROI programs (nursing, accounting), or guaranteed family financial support should consider Lee at full pay.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Lee University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $46,719 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $70,388 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $59,274 | C |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | $45,844 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $54,203 | C |
| Teacher Education | $48,382 | C+ |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $46,573 | C |
| Music | $35,702 | D |
| Accounting | $79,208 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,095 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Lee's top-performing program: 67 graduates, $67,930 year-one, $70,388 at year four, with a B ROI grade and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.372. Median debt of $25,300 is manageable against $68k in immediate earnings. This is a functional, market-validated outcome for nursing graduates here. Students seeking healthcare careers can get a legitimate nursing credential from Lee, and the financial case is defensible.
Accounting
Accounting shows $53,577 year-one and $79,208 at year four for 23 graduates, with a B+ ROI grade and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.313. Median debt of $16,750 is notably low, making this the institution's best debt-adjusted program. Accounting graduates carry relatively little debt and earn well above average for Lee graduates. Students interested in business and comfortable with faith-based campus life can find solid financial outcomes in this program.
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
Pastoral Counseling is a high-enrollment program (60 graduates) and the financial data is straightforward: $35,189 year-one, $45,844 at year four, D ROI grade, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.817 with $28,750 median debt. Ministry career trajectories in the Pentecostal tradition do not produce high wages by Scorecard metrics. Students choosing this path knowingly accept lower financial returns in exchange for mission-aligned work. That is a valid choice but one that deserves honest acknowledgment in the context of $29,000 in debt.
Psychology
Psychology is the largest program at 74 graduates with a D ROI grade: $27,576 year-one, $46,719 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.959, median debt of $26,450. Near year-one earnings just above $27k against $26,450 in debt is a tight and stressful financial situation. Psychology at Lee is a path toward graduate training in counseling or similar fields; students who do not proceed to graduate school will struggle financially relative to their debt load.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 66.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 69.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 70.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-600 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-27 |
| Enrollment | 2,617 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,655 |
Lee admits 70.5% of applicants. The SAT Math 500-600 and Reading 540-630 ranges indicate a moderate academic profile. ACT composite 20-27 is the equivalent range. Admission is not highly competitive. The more important filter is mission alignment: Lee's Pentecostal Church of God affiliation shapes campus culture, expectations, and a substantial portion of its program offerings.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Lee's Scorecard peer schools include American Baptist College, Baptist Health Sciences University, and Inter-American University of Puerto Rico-Metro. Lee's overall ROI of 27 reflects the combination of private-school costs, mediocre earnings, and a high-debt/low-earnings program mix. Among faith-based institutions with similar missions, Lee's outcomes are not unusual, but the financial data makes clear that mission-driven enrollment decisions carry real economic costs.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee University (this school) | 27 | $18,878 | $43,222 |
| Asbury University | 29 | $21,401 | $42,368 |
| Belhaven University | 29 | $15,676 | $46,440 |
| Central Christian College of Kansas | 28 | $11,404 | $44,468 |
| Liberty University | 28 | $29,357 | $44,813 |
| Howard Payne University | 27 | $23,627 | $48,376 |
Who Thrives Here
Lee University admits 70.5% of applicants, with SAT ranges of 500-600 Math and 540-630 Reading, ACT composite 20-27. Enrollment is 2,617. The Pell grant rate of 28.7% indicates a meaningful share of lower-income students. Lee is a faith-based institution: students enrolling here primarily for its Christian community and mission-oriented programs should understand the financial tradeoffs clearly, particularly given $25,750 median debt and $30,000 median earnings. Students selecting Lee for its nursing or accounting programs are making a different calculation than those drawn to its ministerial or education programs.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Lee University. With a net cost of $18,878 per year and median graduate earnings of only $43,222 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 26.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,750 against $43,222 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.