University of Memphis
#5 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,458 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,397 B-
- 28% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.0 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $24.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,140,954.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Every $1 invested returns $24.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 73%
- Patents
- 45
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 63
- Downstream influence
Why University of Memphis Matters
University of Memphis is a public research university in Memphis, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and an above-average 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
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 12,701
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Psychology
Why students choose University of Memphis
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 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 915–1180. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,397 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,458 ten years after enrolling — 19% above the typical college, against $23,300 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 62% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.01 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 12,700 students and a 72% acceptance rate, the University of Memphis is a welcoming choice for many. It suits those interested in practical fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Engineering, and Visual & Performing Arts. Students here find a supportive environment where they can dive deep into their studies while engaging with a vibrant campus life.
Looking ahead, graduates from the University of Memphis can expect to earn around $48,458 within a decade of leaving. This figure gives a solid indication of the potential return on investment for their education. The affordability factor is also noteworthy, with a net price of approximately $12,397 after financial aid. For students receiving Pell Grants, which make up 41% of the student body, this cost is even more manageable.
When we consider the financial landscape, the median debt for graduates stands at $23,300. This debt load is relatively reasonable compared to potential earnings. Students who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds, drawn by the university's accessible education and strong community ties. It's a place where ambition meets opportunity, making it a solid choice for those ready to take the next step in their academic journey.
Rankings
- #5 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee
- #7 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #11 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #11 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #15 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #15 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #17 Best Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Memphis 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 University of Memphis? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Memphis, located in Memphis, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,088. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1088
- SAT Range
- 915–1180
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 73%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,632
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 15,767
- Admitted
- 14,916
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 University of Memphis? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Memphis is $15,384, 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 $12,397. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,607 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,300 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,728
- Out-of-State
- $15,384
- Avg Net Price
- $12,397
- Median Debt
- $23,300
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,607
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,968
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,923
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,691
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 University of Memphis — 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 University of Memphis Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Memphis earn a median of $48,458, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,921
- 8 Years
- $44,264
- 10 Years
- $48,458
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (646)
- 28%
- 100% (646)
- 28%
- 100% (646)
- 28%
- 100% (646)
- 28%
How University 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 University of Memphis Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Memphis delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,397/year ($49,588 total). Graduates earn $48,458 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,190,542 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,140,954 (24.0× your investment). The median debt is $23,300, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,588
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,190,542
- Net Return
- $1,140,954
- ROI Multiple
- 24.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,397
- Median Debt
- $23,300
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
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 University of Memphis Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Memphis is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.25%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 12.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $112,768
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Memphis produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 45 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.22%
- Top 73% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 45
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 63
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.09%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-9,634,684
Top Programs
The fields University of Memphis 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% $60,922 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $70,065 early-career
- Engineering 6% $75,746 early-career
- Psychology 6% $29,673 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $32,231 early-career
- Communications 4% $34,698 early-career
- Education 4% $46,488 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $58,011 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 University of Memphis'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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Memphis? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Memphis, located in Memphis, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,088. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Memphis? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Memphis is $15,384, 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 $12,397. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,607 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,300 in federal student loans.
Is University of Memphis Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Memphis earn a median of $48,458, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Memphis Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Memphis is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Memphis? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at University of Memphis. Its economic connectedness score is 1.01, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias runs higher (0.17), suggesting students tend to form ties within their own economic group. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Memphis.
- Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY · Close peer50% grad $45,795 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC · Close peer50% grad $47,258 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN · Close peer54% grad $48,541 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC · Close peer57% grad $48,160 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer54% grad $55,198 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · Close peer60% grad $49,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Memphis? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at University of Memphis. Its economic connectedness score is 1.01, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias runs higher (0.17), suggesting students tend to form ties within their own economic group. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note