Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Lee University #1288 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,172 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lee University in the 7.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lee University #1316 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for graduates entering healthcare and other stable career paths. --- Lee University's composite ranking reflects balanced strength across access, mobility, and return on investment. Graduates enter stable healthcare careers with earnings that outperform similar students at comparable institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lee University #1288 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Cleveland, Tennessee, Lee University enrolls roughly 2,617 undergraduates. Retention stands at 82.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 62.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential institution. Where Lee University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Lee University #1354 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,559. Lee University sits in the 7.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, meaning graduates earn about $18,172 less than similar students at comparable institutions — a meaningful advantage for a regional master's institution. Access and affordability round out the composite profile. Lee University enrolls 28.7% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 31.2% first-generation students, positioning it in the 51.9 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution sits in the 48.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Lee University's strength in Health fields — a signature that aligns with regional workforce demand and student interest — supports both the earnings outcomes and the institution's role as a pathway to stable careers in health professions and related fields.
Lee University's published cost of attendance is $35,688. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $12,834, families in the lower-middle range pay around $13,845, middle-income families pay about $17,029, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $19,699, and higher-income families pay roughly $24,641. Azimuth ranks Lee University #740 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Lee University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional sources. The institution participates in federal aid programs and works with families to construct aid packages that address demonstrated financial need. Families apply using the FAFSA; some may also be asked to complete the CSS Profile depending on circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,559, median federal debt of $25,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $291 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Lee University is a strong fit for students interested in health fields who want a private nonprofit college experience in Cleveland, TN. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,559, placing Lee University in the 9.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,172 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 7.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 31.2% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Lee University in the 8.8 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 70.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Lee University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Lee University's published cost of attendance is $35,688. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $12,834, families in the lower-middle range pay around $13,845, middle-income families pay about $17,029, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $19,699, and higher-income families pay roughly $24,641.
Azimuth ranks Lee University #740 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Lee University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional sources. The institution participates in federal aid programs and works with families to construct aid packages that address demonstrated financial need.
Families apply using the FAFSA; some may also be asked to complete the CSS Profile depending on circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,559, median federal debt of $25,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $291 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Lee University earn median 4-year earnings of $47,559, placing Lee University in the 9.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,172 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lee University in the 7.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lee University #1354 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Lee University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 86 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $70,388, representing 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries program graduates 69 students with median 4-year earnings of $45,844, and Psychology, General delivers median 4-year earnings of $46,719 for 64 graduates.
These programs anchor Lee University's return story, with health sciences and related fields providing stable, in-demand career pathways that support strong long-term financial outcomes.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lancaster Bible College Similar quality tier (#36067 ranked) | PA | 56% | $44,096 | #36067 | Compare |
Carroll College Similar quality tier (#36066 ranked) | MT | 71% | $61,772 | #36066 | Compare |
Willamette University Similar quality tier (#36076 ranked) | OR | 77% | $56,911 | #36076 | Compare |
Cornell College Similar quality tier (#36064 ranked) | IA | 80% | $53,460 | #36064 | Compare |
Nichols College Similar quality tier (#36062 ranked) | MA | 81% | $58,063 | #36062 | Compare |
Accounting and Related Services
25 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
86 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
53 graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
55 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
51 graduates
Lee University's program mix is anchored in health-related fields, reflecting the institution's mission-driven focus on preparing graduates for helping professions. Nursing is the largest program with 86 graduates, followed by Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Psychology, General, General Studies, and Business Administration.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 910 students annually, the institution concentrates its academic portfolio in Business (representing 13% of graduates) and Education (representing 11% of graduates), with Arts comprising 7% of the degree output. The earnings pattern reflects this health-sciences concentration.
Nursing graduates earn median four-year earnings of $70,388 with 86 graduates, while Business Administration delivers $59,274 for 53 graduates. General Studies earns $54,203 across 55 graduates, and Teacher Education reaches $48,382 with 51 graduates.
These outcomes reflect the stable, in-demand nature of health-related careers where graduates enter the workforce directly and benefit from consistent employer recruitment. Lee University's program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways in nursing, allied health, and related clinical fields where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) shows that health professions remain among the most stable and growing sectors nationally, aligning well with the institution's dominant program families and graduate employment patterns.
