


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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18% of admitted students enrolled (1,962 of 10,865)
Application fee
$25Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoPercent of students submitting ACT scores
90.1%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
4.7%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Considered but not requiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Considered but not requiredAdmission test scores
RequiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Navy
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData 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.