Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Cleveland, Tennessee
72.2% Acceptance Rate
Lee University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
72.2%Acceptance Rate
3.73Avg GPA
1144Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$34,299Annual Cost
$43,222Grad Salary
26.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.2%
Avg GPA
3.73
Avg SAT
1144
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1240
ACT Middle 50%
20–26
Need-Based Aid
26.7% receive Pell
Lee University, established in 1918, is Tennessee's leading Christian university with strong music and ministry programs. The Cleveland campus includes the new School of Religion building. Lee's 'LEAP' program combines liberal arts with professional preparation.
Lee University Acceptance Rate
Lee University is moderately selective. 72.2% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Lee University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 72.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.28
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lee University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Lee University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Lee University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Early Action Financial Aid: 2026/02/14) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Lee University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lee University is 3.73. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.43 and 3.73? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.93–4.13.Lee University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.33 – 3.52
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.32
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test cutoffs when submitted: ACT 17+, SAT 900+, CLT 57+; otherwise fully test-optional.
- $25 application fee.
- Mandatory chapel: 70% monthly attendance plus 3 of 4 evening Convocations per semester; probation forfeits scholarships.
- Church of God-affiliated; all students sign a Lifestyle Covenant before enrolling.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Lee University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Lee University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lee University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Lee University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Lee University Without SAT or ACT?
Lee University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lee University Average SAT Score: 1144
Admitted students at Lee University average a 1144 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1144 — Less Competitive
A 1144 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1240 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lee University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1020? A retake is worth it at Lee University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 575 | 520 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1144 | 1020 | 1240 |
A score under 1020 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1240+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Lee University with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Lee University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Lee University ACT Requirements
Lee University's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 26 |
Can I get into Lee University with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Lee University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Lee University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lee University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Lee University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Go test-optional below the line, submit above it
If you're being test-optional-curious: Lee's real cutoffs when scores ARE submitted are ACT 17+, SAT 900+, or CLT 57+. Below those, go test-optional. Above, submit - it strengthens an average file here.
Read the Lifestyle Covenant before you apply, not after acceptance
Every student signs this behavioral and faith commitment before enrolling. It governs daily conduct. Read the actual document early so there's no surprise mismatch once you're on campus.
Chapel attendance is tied to your scholarship money
You need 70% chapel attendance monthly plus 3 of 4 evening Convocations each semester. Three months on chapel probation forfeits university-funded scholarships the following term. Plan your schedule around this from day one.
Use any optional essay to show real engagement, not platitudes
Lee is explicit about its Church of God mission. Speak concretely about how you'll engage chapel and spiritual life on campus - vague "I'm a good person" essays undersell fit here.
Expert Insight:
Students read the $25 fee and test-optional policy as "casual admission" and don't realize the Lifestyle Covenant and chapel policy are binding and enforced. Chapel probation can cost you scholarship money, not just a warning letter.
Lee University Profile
Full Name
Lee University
City
Cleveland
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37311
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Lee University Degree Worth It?
At $34,299/year against a $43,222 median graduate salary, Lee University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $59,500, and graduates see a 3.05% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Lee University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $34,299/year at Lee University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Lee University, 26.7% receive a Pell Grant and 44.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Lee University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Lee University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Lee University graduates report a median income of $43,222, about 6% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lee University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | 1100 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lee University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lee University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Lee University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lee University Admissions
Lee University graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,222/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Lee University is moderate, around $34,299/year; many students supplement with aid.
26.7% of Lee University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Lee University's acceptance rate is 72.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Lee University students is 3.73, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.43 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Lee University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.33 or below makes admission tougher at Lee University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Lee University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1144, and within the 1020–1240 range, keeps you competitive.
Lee University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Lee University charges an application fee of 25; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Early Action Financial Aid: 2026/02/14. That's Lee University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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