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University of Memphis

#253 in US ranking Memphis, TN
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Memphis award
University of Memphis award

Cost

Cost / year
$25,805
Tuition & fees
$11,256
Avg. aid
$8,459
Receiving aid
95%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
72%
SAT range
915–1180
ACT range
18–24

Outcomes

Graduation rate
51%
Median salary
$45,279
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of Memphis?

The University of Memphis is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC, to award degrees. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval of a particular professional program.

The distinction matters most in fields with licensing requirements, including nursing, teaching, engineering and other regulated professions. Applicants should confirm the current accreditation or state approval of their specific program and check the rules in the state where they intend to practice. Institutional accreditation is also relevant to eligibility for federal student aid. It does not, by itself, guarantee that another college will accept a course for transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.

What are the admission requirements at University of Memphis?

First-year applicants generally apply with a high school diploma or recognized equivalent and an academic record. University admissions data identifies the secondary school transcript and GPA as required considerations; class rank and recommendations may be considered but are not listed as universal requirements.

Admissions data for 2024-25 also lists ACT or SAT scores as required, but testing policies can change between application cycles. Applicants should follow the requirements published for their intended entry term, especially if applying through a test-optional route or to a program with additional standards. English-language proficiency documentation, such as TOEFL results, may be required of applicants whose circumstances trigger that requirement. International, graduate, transfer and selective-program applicants should use the instructions for their own applicant category rather than the first-year checklist.

For context, the university admitted approximately 72% of its 15,084 first-time, degree-seeking applicants in the reported admissions cycle. That institution-wide rate describes a past applicant group; it is not an individual applicant's probability of admission or a measure of admission to a particular major.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of Memphis?

The reported undergraduate application fee is $25. An application fee is paid to have an application processed; it is separate from tuition, orientation charges and any later enrollment costs.

Fees and waiver procedures can differ by applicant type and application route. Applicants seeking a waiver should check the current admissions application instructions before submitting and paying, since a fee already paid may not be refundable. Graduate and professional applicants should verify their program's fee rather than assume the undergraduate amount applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of Memphis?

University of Memphis students have access to Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC opportunities. ROTC combines college coursework and military training with a potential path to service as a commissioned officer.

Branch participation is not interchangeable: each program has its own enrollment process, physical and academic standards, scholarship rules, training schedule and post-graduation service obligations. Students should confirm the current host-unit or cross-enrollment arrangement for their chosen branch, as well as whether its classes and training fit their degree schedule. Joining an introductory ROTC course and accepting an ROTC scholarship or commissioning commitment can have different consequences.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of Memphis?

The University of Memphis accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is available for fall, spring and summer terms, but admission to the university and acceptance of individual courses toward a degree are separate decisions.

Applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from each college attended and to meet the admission rules for their intended term and program. High school records may also be relevant depending on the applicant's college coursework. The university reports accepting several forms of exam or evaluated learning credit, including CLEP, DSST and credit considered under American Council on Education recommendations; each award remains subject to its credit policies.

Before enrolling, a transfer student should compare course equivalencies with the intended major's degree requirements and obtain an official evaluation. A course may transfer as elective credit without satisfying a required course. Applicants with an associate degree should also ask how any applicable Tennessee transfer pathway or articulation agreement affects general education, major prerequisites and the remaining credits that must be completed at Memphis.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of Memphis?

The University of Memphis offers international study opportunities through its education-abroad activities, including programs that can vary by destination, length and academic subject. A student may be able to consider a faculty-led short-term experience, an exchange or another approved program rather than committing to a full year overseas.

The practical question is whether a particular program will advance the student's degree. Students should arrange academic approval before departure, confirm how overseas courses will appear on their record and compare the full program budget, including travel and insurance. Financial aid and scholarships may be usable for eligible programs, but their treatment depends on the program and the student's aid package. Program availability and travel requirements can change, so a current advising appointment is more useful than relying on an older destination list.

University of Memphis Admissions Factors

SAT range
915–1180
4001600
ACT range
18–24
136
Acceptance rate
72%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
72%
Tennessee
71%
US
78%

18% of admitted students enrolled (1,962 of 10,865)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

University of Memphis Admissions

Applicants
Total: 15,084
Admission
Total: 10,865
Enrolled
Total: 1,962
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of Memphis

Application fee

$25

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

University of Memphis First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,639
Out-of-state: 261
International: 62

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,962
Transfer: 962

University of Memphis Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

90.1%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

4.7%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Navy

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

University of Memphis Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data 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.

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