Samford University vs. Lee University

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

Samford University Lee University
Location Birmingham, AL Cleveland, TN
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,791 3,680
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #809
Religious Affiliation Baptist Church of God - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu leeuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Lee University
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $21,960
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $21,960
Room & Board $12,160 $9,340
Avg Net Price $32,176 $20,222
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $14,251
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Samford University Lee University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 2,150
Admitted 3,734 1,552
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 72.2%
Enrolled % 28.9% 35.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.73
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 20/26
SAT Range 1070/1260 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 May 1, 2026

Academics

Samford University Lee University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Samford University Lee University
Graduation Rate 70% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

Samford University Lee University
% Men 11% 5%
% Women 23% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 79%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

Samford University Lee University
% In-State 23% 48%
% Out-of-State 77% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than Lee University based on total student enrollment (5,791 students vs. 3,680 students)

Samford University vs. Lee University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Lee University?

  • Samford University is 69.1% more expensive to attend than Lee University for in-state tuition ($37,144.00 vs. $21,960.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 69.1% higher at Samford University than Lee University ($37,144.00 vs. $21,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lee University than Samford University ($20,222 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 30.2% lower than costs at Samford University ($9,340 vs. $12,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Lee University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 52.7% larger than aid received Lee University ($21,758 vs. $14,251)

Samford University vs. Lee University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 74 points higher than at Lee University (1088)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Lee University (24)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Lee University (3.73)
  • Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.2%) than Lee University (72.2%)

Samford University vs. Lee University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University 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 Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Lee University (70% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $20,300 more per year than Lee University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $37,100)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lee University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 60%)

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