Lee University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$90,760
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,082/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
29.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-32%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Lee University's in-state tuition is $22,690. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $35,892. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $38,082, and after ten years, earnings reach $43,222. The median debt for graduates is $25,750, and 44.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.72. This indicates that the median debt is about 72% of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.
To calculate the break-even point, we can estimate the time it takes for the additional earnings from a degree to offset the cost of tuition, assuming no interest on the debt. The difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost is $13,202. Dividing the median debt of $25,750 by this difference suggests a break-even timeline of roughly two years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$22,690
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,082
Graduation Rate
62%
Receive Financial Aid
45%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries. | $90,760 | $37,581 | -43% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $90,760 | $53,318 | 304% |
| Psychology, General. | $90,760 | $36,511 | -67% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $90,760 | $34,588 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $90,760 | $0 | N/A |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | $90,760 | $38,153 | -31% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $90,760 | $33,687 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $90,760 | $39,712 | 4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $90,760 | $53,752 | 313% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $90,760 | $41,701 | 48% |
| English Language and Literature, General. | $90,760 | $0 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $90,760 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.