Eastern vs. Lee University

Should I go to Eastern Kentucky University or Lee University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Eastern or Lee University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Eastern Kentucky University vs. Lee University comparison
Eastern Kentucky University Lee University College 3 College 4
Eastern Kentucky University Lee University
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Overview

 Eastern Lee University
Location Richmond, KY Cleveland, TN
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 15,008 3,680
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #873 #809
Religious Affiliation - Church of God - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eku.edu leeuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Eastern Lee University
Tuition (In State) $9,830 $21,960
Tuition (Out of State) $20,520 $21,960
Room & Board $11,735 $9,340
Avg Net Price $10,852 $20,222
Avg Grant Aid $11,460 $14,251
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

 Eastern Lee University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,082 2,150
Admitted 13,340 1,552
Acceptance Rate 78.1% 72.2%
Enrolled % 20.9% 35.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 20/26
SAT Range 930/1190 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 Eastern Lee University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

 Eastern Lee University
Graduation Rate 38% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 49% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,695 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $245 $279

Diversity

 Eastern Lee University
% Men 4% 5%
% Women 11% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 79%
% Black 6% 6%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

 Eastern Lee University
% In-State 92% 48%
% Out-of-State 8% 50%

Campus

 Eastern Lee University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Kentucky University is larger than than Lee University based on total student enrollment (15,008 students vs. 3,680 students)

Eastern vs. Lee University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or Lee University?

  • Lee University is 123.4% more expensive to attend than Eastern for in-state tuition ($21,960.00 vs. $9,830.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7% higher at Lee University than Eastern Kentucky University ($21,960.00 vs. $20,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than Lee University ($10,852 vs. $20,222)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 25.6% lower than costs at Eastern Kentucky University ($9,340 vs. $11,735)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than Lee University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lee University students is 24.4% larger than aid received Eastern Kentucky University ($14,251 vs. $11,460)

Eastern vs. Lee University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern or Lee University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Lee University or Eastern .

  • The average SAT score at Lee University (1088) is 60 points higher than at Eastern (1028)
  • Incoming Lee University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Eastern (22)
  • Accepted freshman Lee University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Eastern (3.39)
  • Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Lee University (72.2%)

Eastern vs. Lee University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Eastern or Lee University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Lee University and Eastern.

  • The graduation rate at Lee University is higher than Eastern Kentucky University (49% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Kentucky University earn on average $800 more per year than Lee University graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $37,100)
  • Eastern Kentucky University students graduate with a $3,305 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($23,695 vs. $27,000)
  • Eastern graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($245 vs. $279)
  • More Lee University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/