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Lee University

#700 in US ranking Cleveland, TN
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$38,042
Tuition & fees
$24,870
Avg. aid
$14,135
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
71%
SAT range
1040–1230
ACT range
20–27

Outcomes

Graduation rate
63%
Median salary
$41,340
1 yr after graduation

Courtesy of Lee University

What is the history of Lee University?

Lee University is a private Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee, whose roots date to 1918. It began as a Bible training school associated with the Church of God, a Pentecostal denomination headquartered in Cleveland.

The institution later became Lee College, named for Church of God leader F. J. Lee, and adopted the name Lee University in 1997. Its development from ministerial training into a university helps explain its present mix of theology, liberal arts, professional, and graduate programs. The university retains its Church of God affiliation while enrolling students in fields well beyond ministry.

What are the faculties and departments at Lee University?

Lee University offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, professional fields, and theology. Its academic organization includes a College of Arts and Sciences and schools or colleges devoted to business, education, music, nursing, and theology and ministry.

Prospective undergraduates can explore subjects such as biology, communication, computer science, English, psychology, accounting, teacher education, music, and nursing. Graduate options vary by field. Some programs - particularly those leading toward teaching or nursing credentials - have admission, clinical, or licensing requirements beyond general university admission. Applicants should check the current academic catalog for the degree plan and requirements that apply to their intended start term.

Reported student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. That institution-wide measure is not a class-size guarantee; course formats and access to particular classes differ by major and year of study.

What is the location of Lee University?

Lee University's main campus is in Cleveland, Tennessee, northeast of Chattanooga. Cleveland is a smaller city, so students should consider both campus-based activities and the practicalities of reaching jobs, clinical placements, and other off-campus commitments.

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is the nearest major commercial airport identified in institutional information. A car may be useful for some off-campus travel; first-year students are permitted to register or park one on campus. Commuting is also a significant part of the student experience, rather than an exception.

What is the mission and vision of Lee University?

Lee University describes its educational mission in explicitly Christian terms. Its Church of God affiliation shapes its emphasis on faith, learning, service, and preparation for work and life beyond college.

For applicants, that identity has practical implications: chapel and other faith-related programming are part of campus life, and some academic experiences engage Christian perspectives. Students should read the current student handbook and the requirements for their intended degree to understand which activities or courses are required. The university's stated aims describe its educational philosophy, not a measurable outcome promised to every student.

Lee University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Lee University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Small

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

Religious affiliation

Protestant (Church of God)

School type

University

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1918

Lee University Accreditation

Lee University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Lee University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - research/scholarship
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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