
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) was founded in 1897 in Harrogate, Tennessee, and named for Abraham Lincoln. Its early purpose was to expand educational access in the Appalachian region, an origin that remains part of the university's stated identity.
LMU has grown from a small regional institution into a university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The development of its DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Duncan School of Law significantly broadened its academic scope. The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum on the Harrogate campus reflects the university's historical connection to its namesake.
LMU offers undergraduate degrees alongside graduate and professional programs in fields including health care, business, education, law and veterinary medicine. Its academic organization includes the Caylor School of Nursing, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Duncan School of Law and schools serving arts, sciences and other undergraduate fields.
Prospective undergraduates can explore subjects such as biology, business, criminal justice, education, engineering and nursing. Some health professions require a separate admission process after initial university admission; acceptance to LMU does not automatically mean acceptance to a clinical major or professional school. Students comparing programs should check the current catalog for the credential offered, campus location, prerequisites and any required clinical placement.
Lincoln Memorial University's main campus is in Harrogate, a small community in northeastern Tennessee near the Cumberland Gap and the Kentucky and Virginia borders. Students considering the main campus should expect a different transportation and social setting from that of an urban university.
LMU also operates educational sites beyond Harrogate, and program location matters: a professional or graduate program may meet at a different site from an undergraduate program. Applicants should verify where their intended classes, laboratories and placements take place. For students planning to live off campus, commuting distance and access to a car may be practical considerations.
LMU describes its mission in terms of education, service and improving life in the Appalachian region and beyond. Its stated priorities connect liberal arts learning with professional preparation and service to communities.
The university's name and institutional history draw on Abraham Lincoln's legacy, but its stated educational mission is not a substitute for examining a particular program's curriculum, costs and outcomes. Prospective students can use the mission as context while evaluating how their intended degree is actually delivered.
Name of the institution
Lincoln Memorial UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Town: DistantInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersLincoln Memorial University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.