Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Should I go to Lee University or Middle Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lee University or Middle Tennessee State 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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Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University comparison
Lee University Middle Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
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Overview

Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
Location Cleveland, TN Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,680 20,183
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #809 #666
Religious Affiliation Church of God - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website leeuniversity.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $21,960 $7,536
Tuition (Out of State) $21,960 $27,072
Room & Board $9,340 $11,704
Avg Net Price $20,222 $12,700
Avg Grant Aid $14,251 $9,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,150 14,763
Admitted 1,552 10,039
Acceptance Rate 72.2% 68%
Enrolled % 35.6% 31.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.64
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1240 1000/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 49% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,100 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $279 $224

Diversity

Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 7% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 64%
% Black 6% 22%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

Lee University Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 48% 89%
% Out-of-State 50% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Lee University based on total student enrollment (20,183 students vs. 3,680 students)

Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lee University or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Lee University is 191.4% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($21,960.00 vs. $7,536.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.3% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Lee University ($27,072.00 vs. $21,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than Lee University ($12,700 vs. $20,222)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 25.3% lower than costs at Middle Tennessee State University ($9,340 vs. $11,704)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lee University than Middle Tennessee State University (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lee University students is 43.3% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($14,251 vs. $9,942)

Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lee University (1088) is 57 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1031)
  • Incoming Lee University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Lee University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64)
  • Lee University has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than Middle Tennessee State University (68%)

Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lee University or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University and Lee University.

  • The graduation rate at Lee University is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (49% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Lee University graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $37,100)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $5,242 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($21,758 vs. $27,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($224 vs. $279)
  • More Lee University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

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