Lee University

Private · Moderately Selective · TN

Photo: Harrison Keely (CC BY 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationTN · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads2,617

Student:faculty13:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate50.8%

6-yr grad rate62.6%

Drop-out rate17.7%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$24k

Out-of-state tuition$24k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity20.2%

Gender diversity60.9%

International3.1%

IdentityChurch of God

Overview

Lee University is a Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee, affiliated with the Church of God and shaped by a strong Pentecostal/evangelical identity that runs through both academics and daily campus life. It has grown from a small Bible-college footprint into a mid-sized university while keeping faith formation a stated part of its mission for every student, not only religion majors.

Academics

Music is the program most associated with Lee — its choirs, worship bands, and ensembles perform and tour widely, and the School of Music trains students headed for both church ministry and broader performance or music-business careers. Ministry and theology programs are naturally strong given the university's denominational ties, and education and health sciences, including nursing, are large, well-established programs as well. Chapel and faith-integration themes appear across the curriculum, not only in dedicated religion courses.

Campus & student life

The campus sits at the edge of the Appalachians, a short drive from Chattanooga, giving students access to a larger city's internships, jobs, and outdoor recreation while living in a smaller college town. Campus culture is close-knit and faith-centered, with chapel attendance and worship life a routine, expected part of the week rather than an optional add-on.

Getting in

Lee's application process is relatively straightforward and not heavily essay-driven, but many applicants write about their faith background or sense of calling as part of expressing fit with the university's mission. Music-program applicants typically go through a separate audition process that carries as much weight as the academic file.

After graduation

Graduates commonly move into church and parachurch ministry, Christian education, and music or worship careers, alongside more conventional paths in nursing, teaching, and business — the university's ministry and denominational ties function as an informal placement pipeline for graduates headed into church work.

Worth knowing

Chapel and spiritual-formation requirements are a real, structured part of the student experience at Lee, not a light touch — students uncomfortable with an evangelical Christian environment as a daily backdrop should weigh that carefully. The music program's audition culture and touring ensembles are a genuine draw for serious musicians even outside a ministry track.

leeuniversity.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate70.5%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1040–1230 · ACT 20–27

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying