Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Deciding between Lee University and Middle Tennessee State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Lee University
Middle Tennessee State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Lee University Cleveland, TN
  • Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
  • Setting
  • Lee University Small City
  • Middle Tennessee State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lee University 3,714
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20,488
  • Type
  • Lee University Private 4 Year
  • Middle Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Lee University #790
  • Middle Tennessee State University #664
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Lee University Church of God
  • Middle Tennessee State University -
  • Status
  • Lee University Non-profit
  • Middle Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Lee University
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Lee University $23,790
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,266
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Lee University $23,790
  • Middle Tennessee State University $31,574
  • Room & Board
  • Lee University $10,110
  • Middle Tennessee State University $12,242
  • Average Net Price
  • Lee University $20,416
  • Middle Tennessee State University $13,859
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Lee University $15,467
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,665
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Lee University 99%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Lee University 2,388
  • Middle Tennessee State University 14,989
  • Admitted
  • Lee University 1,684
  • Middle Tennessee State University 10,356
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Lee University 70.5%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 69.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Lee University 35%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 30.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lee University 1140
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lee University 23
  • Middle Tennessee State University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Lee University 3.73
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Lee University A-
  • Middle Tennessee State University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Lee University Moderate
  • Middle Tennessee State University Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Lee University Low
  • Middle Tennessee State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Lee University 20/27
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • Lee University 1040/1230
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Lee University Test optional
  • Middle Tennessee State University Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Lee University
  • Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Lee University 13:1
  • Middle Tennessee State University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Lee University
    • Education (18%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Psychology (10%)
  • Middle Tennessee State University
    • Business (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Outcomes

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

  • % Men
  • Lee University 38%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 46%
  • % Women
  • Lee University 62%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Lee University Low
  • Middle Tennessee State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Lee University No
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • % White
  • Lee University 79%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 64%
  • % Asian
  • Lee University 1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Black
  • Lee University 6%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 22%
  • % Hispanic
  • Lee University 4%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • Lee University 1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Lee University 0%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Lee University 1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % International
  • Lee University 5%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Lee University 4%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Lee University 51%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 90%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Lee University 45%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 8%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Lee University in Cleveland, TN with Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Middle Tennessee State University is larger than Lee University based on total student enrollment (20,488 students vs. 3,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lee University is located in Cleveland, TN (Small City setting); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lee University 13:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lee University or Middle Tennessee State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than Lee University ($13,859 vs. $20,416).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 17.4% lower than at Middle Tennessee State University ($10,110 vs. $12,242).
  • Lee University is 131.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $13,524 more per year; $23,790.00 vs. $10,266.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than at Lee University (about $7,784 more per year; $31,574.00 vs. $23,790.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lee University than at Middle Tennessee State University (99% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lee University students is 45% larger than aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students ($15,467 vs. $10,665).

Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lee University or Middle Tennessee State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Middle Tennessee State University and Lee University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lee University (1140) is 20 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1120).
  • Incoming Lee University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (23).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lee University 1040/1230; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lee University 20/27; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lee University - Test optional; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • 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 (70.5%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35% at Lee University vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

Lee University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lee University and Middle Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Lee University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Middle Tennessee State University's (45%).
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Lee University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have a $5,242 lower median loan debt than Lee University graduates ($21,758 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.