Lipscomb University
#3 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,541 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $24,739 D
- 44% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 68% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.5 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $12.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,139,166.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 36% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lipscomb University Matters
Lipscomb University is a private doctoral / professional university in Nashville, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 2,997
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 74
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Lipscomb University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 68% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1160–1380. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,739 a year after grants and scholarships — 44% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,541 ten years after enrolling — 36% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 94% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Lipscomb University is a solid choice for students who are looking for a close-knit community with a focus on practical skills and personal growth. With a student body of nearly 3,000 and an acceptance rate of 68%, it welcomes a diverse range of learners. Here, you can dive into popular programs like Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology, which align well with today’s job market.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $55,541 within ten years. This figure reflects the value of their education and the skills they gain. It’s also worth noting that 24% of the student body receives Pell Grants, which can help offset costs for those who need financial assistance. While we don’t have specific mobility data, the earnings suggest that graduates tend to find their footing financially after completing their degrees.
When it comes to the cost of attending Lipscomb, the net price after aid is approximately $24,739, with a median debt load of $19,500. This means that many students are able to graduate with a manageable level of debt, making it easier to start their careers. Those who thrive here often appreciate a supportive environment and a strong sense of community, which can be crucial as they navigate their educational journeys.
Rankings
- #3 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #4 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee
- #5 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #10 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #10 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #10 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Lipscomb University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lipscomb University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,256. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1256
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1160–1380
- ACT Range
- 23–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,832
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 3,705
- Admitted
- 2,635
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lipscomb University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lipscomb University is $40,572, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,739. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,048 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $40,572
- Out-of-State
- $40,572
- Avg Net Price
- $24,739
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,048
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,009
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $24,124
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,265
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Lipscomb University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lipscomb University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lipscomb University earn a median of $55,541, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,454
- 8 Years
- $53,623
- 10 Years
- $55,541
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (370)
- 59%
- 100% (370)
- 59%
- 100% (370)
- 59%
- 100% (370)
- 59%
How Lipscomb Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lipscomb University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lipscomb University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,739/year ($98,956 total). Graduates earn $55,541 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,238,122 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,139,166 (12.5× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $98,956
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,238,122
- Net Return
- $1,139,166
- ROI Multiple
- 12.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,739
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lipscomb University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lipscomb University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.62%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $106,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.62%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $144,560
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,492,625
- Investment Income
- $89,755
Top Programs
The fields Lipscomb University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $69,178 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 17% $22,128 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $63,069 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 12% $28,558 early-career
- Psychology 7% $36,820 early-career
- Engineering 6% $74,085 early-career
- Communications 4%
- Education 3% $49,122 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lipscomb University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lipscomb University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,256. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lipscomb University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lipscomb University is $40,572, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,739. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,048 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is Lipscomb University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lipscomb University earn a median of $55,541, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lipscomb University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lipscomb University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.62%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $106,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lipscomb University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lipscomb University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lipscomb University.
- Harding UniversitySearcy, AR · Close peer70% grad $52,876 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer56% grad $53,610 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · Close peer76% grad $58,375 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Franciscan University of SteubenvilleSteubenville, OH · Close peer76% grad $50,030 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH · Close peer73% grad $55,443 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX · Close peer60% grad $55,736 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lipscomb University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lipscomb University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note