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Memphis , TN
The University of Memphis, commonly referred to as U of M, is a public research university located in Memphis, Tennessee. Established in 1912, the university has grown into a prestigious institution offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. With a diverse student body of over 21,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 countries, the university provides a vibrant learning environment that fosters both academic and personal growth.
U of M offers an extensive array of academic programs through its various colleges and schools, including business, education, engineering, health sciences, liberal arts, and more. The university is renowned for its strong emphasis on research, and its faculty members are internationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Students have numerous opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research across disciplines, attend lectures and presentations by leading scholars, and participate in hands-on experiential learning experiences that prepare them for successful careers.
Beyond academics, the University of Memphis provides a vibrant campus life and a range of extracurricular activities. The university's Division I athletic teams, known as the Memphis Tigers, compete in the American Athletic Conference, representing the school in sports like basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball. The campus also boasts a variety of student organizations, clubs, and student government, allowing students to pursue their interests and build lifelong friendships. Additionally, located in the heart of Memphis, students have access to a vibrant city known for its rich musical heritage, cultural diversity, and vibrant arts scene.
Overall, the University of Memphis offers a comprehensive educational experience, combining academic excellence, research, community engagement, and a vibrant student life. Students who choose U of M benefit from a welcoming and diverse community, outstanding faculty, ample research opportunities, and the chance to live in a city filled with cultural and entertainment activities.
University of Memphis is a public university located in Memphis, TN and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 72%. The freshman retention rate at University of Memphis is 77.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 51%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is July 1. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
To find out more about what University of Memphis has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
15,770
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
51%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most important data you should know about admission policy and requirements at University of Memphis.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 10,865 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 4% and ACT scores 90%. 4% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 20% between 1,200 and 1,399, 31% between 1,000 and 1,199, 36% between 800 and 999, and 9% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5, 26 between 24-29, 46 in the range between 18-23, 22 between 12-17, and 1 between 6-11.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 21 while the average GPA was 3.62. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of Memphis; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 539 and an average SAT Math score of 517.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by July 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for University of Memphis was 77.4% in 2025, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 51%.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the right place for you is not easy. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of Memphis in 2025 was 20,276.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 17. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 15,770, 259 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 962.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,257 male and 7,528 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 602 Asian students and 5,173 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,545 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 549 as multirace. The school also had 13 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 15 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 76 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for University of Memphis.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Memphis? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $9,336 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $17,550. For international students, tuition fees at this school stood at $23,430. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,920 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $17,550 | $1,920 | $19,470 |
| In-State | $9,336 | $1,920 | $11,256 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial element. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $920.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of Memphis was $11,654 in 2025. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 was $6,674 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,336 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,654 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 920 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,910 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for many students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of Memphis, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,043 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $12,363.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 6,275 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of Memphis is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 8,330. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $46,986,059, and state $11,309,515. The students of University of Memphis received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $1,752,726, and external in the amount of $2,037,463.
$4,448
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 4,576 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Memphis in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 1,515 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $15,286,654. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $4,558,931 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at University of Memphis was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 1,291 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 598 male and 693 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at University of Memphis.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of Memphis: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about students' life at University of Memphis.
It has a campus size of 1,160 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
This school has 242 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Emerging Leaders, followed by Asian American Association and Rising Health Professionals. Other popular student organizations at this school are Honors Student Organization and Black Scholars Unlimited.
If you are interested in music, you can join the University of Memphis band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? University of Memphis publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Memphis has a number of services necessary for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of Memphis.
All in all, campus life at University of Memphis is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Memphis.
Career Counselling
There are a library and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 59,896 USD.
$59,896
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of Memphis is located in Memphis, TN.
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University of Memphis offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of Memphis is 72%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Memphis is 77.4%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.