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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Samford University vs. Lee University comparison
Samford University Lee University College 3 College 4
Samford University Lee University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Samford University Lee University
Location Birmingham, AL Cleveland, TN
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,682 3,927
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #787
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) $35,750 $21,000
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $21,000
Room & Board $11,264 $8,840
Avg Net Price $31,803 $19,726
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $14,042
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

Samford University Lee University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 2,014
Admitted 3,611 1,462
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 72.6%
Enrolled % 27% 35.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.73
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 19/27
SAT Range 1080/1270 1010/1240
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, 2025

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 32% 39%
% Women 68% 61%
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 25% 48%
% Out-of-State 74% 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 (5,682 students vs. 3,927 students)

Samford University vs. Lee University Cost Comparison

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

  • Samford University is 70.2% more expensive to attend than Lee University for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $21,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 70.2% higher at Samford University than Lee University ($35,750.00 vs. $21,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lee University than Samford University ($19,726 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 27.4% lower than costs at Samford University ($8,840 vs. $11,264)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Lee University (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 47.5% larger than aid received Lee University ($20,711 vs. $14,042)

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 (83.3%) than Lee University (72.6%)

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/