Lee University vs Cleveland State Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lee University comes closer — median earnings $43,222 against a $75,512 total, vs $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lee University | Cleveland State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,878 | $6,384 |
| Total net cost | $75,512 | $12,768 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,222 | $36,671 |
| Median debt | $25,750 | $7,954 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$178,272 | -$246,548 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lee University or Cleveland State Community College?
Cleveland State Community College, at $6,384 a year after aid versus $18,878 — a gap of $12,494 a year, or $62,744 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lee University or Cleveland State Community College graduates earn more?
Lee University graduates report a median $43,222 ten years after entry, $6,551 more than the $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Lee University or Cleveland State Community College?
Cleveland State Community College: its completers carry a median $7,954 in federal loans versus $25,750 at Lee University, a difference of $17,796. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at Lee University, against 37% at Cleveland State Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.