Lee University, Cleveland TN

Lee University is a private, comprehensive university located in Cleveland, TN, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Lee is emerging as a leader in higher education in the southeastern region and was ranked in 2011 in the "Top Tier" in the South by U.S. News & World report (Comprehensive Medium-Size Universities). Lee is also ranked by Princeton Review's "Best Colleges" and is now one of the 141 colleges named Best in the Southeast.

Over the past two decades, Lee has become one of the largest Christ-centered private institutions in Tennessee and the largest in the Appalachian College Association. During that period, the university has undergone a remarkable transformation that has included significant growth in academic programs, student enrollment, faculty expertise and diversity, as well as an expanded sense of mission and vision.

About Lee's Academics

Life On Campus

America's Most Energizing Christian University

Lee Quick Stats

Founded in 1918

Lee University is a private, comprehensive university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. “America’s 100 Best College Buys” chose Lee as one of their top choices every year since 2006. This annual national college survey seeks to identify those colleges and universities who are providing an academically superior educational environment at the lowest possible cost.
Lee University’s community service program was recently ranked among the top 100 in the country by the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency tasked with fostering an ethic of volunteerism and service in America. The corporation not only placed Lee University on the inaugural President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, it also recognized the school’s efforts “with distinction” in two key areas: general community service and hurricane relief service. Less than 100 schools were named to the honor roll “with distinction” for general community service, and the ranking places Lee alongside such notable schools as Duke, Purdue, LSU, and Stanford.

Located in Cleveland, TN

Lee University is nestled in a peaceful community in southeastern Tennessee called Cleveland. Chattanooga is less than thirty minutes away and is home of the multi-million dollar Tennessee Aquarium, the Incline Railway, the Southern Belle Riverboat, the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and, of course, the famous Rock City atop Lookout Mountain. Cleveland is just 20 minutes from the Ocoee River, sight of the 1996 Olympic White Water events. Students can enjoy endless outdoor recreational opportunities. For quick getaways, our campus is also convenient to Knoxville, the Smoky Mountains, and popular Gatlinburg area.

Current enrollment - 4,411

Lee's enrollment has more than tripled from 1,214 (Fall 1986) to 4,411 (Fall 2011) under the leadership of Dr. Paul Conn. This places Lee as the 5th largest in undergraduate enrollment among the member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (www.cccu.org). During that same period, average ACT scores of entering freshmen have increased to just under 24, and faculty has grown and diversified in order to offer a rapidly expanding slate of academic programs. Since 1986, Lee has added twenty-five major buildings necessary to serve the students.

Lee's Mascot is the Flames

The mission of the Lee University Athletic Program is to assist in the preparation of student athletes for Christian leadership and service in their occupational or academic pursuits and personal ministry. We also strive to instill in our student athletes the type of character that will exhibit the life of Christ to those against whom we compete. The success of this preparation depends on programs and services whereby physical, mental, social, and spiritual development is fostered, as well as the development of discipline, cooperation, team spirit and acceptance of each other’s differences. The mission is pursued with a variety of activities provided within the context of the Athletic Program, which includes intercollegiate athletic events.