Lipscomb University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Nashville, Tennessee · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Lipscomb University is a private nonprofit university in Nashville, Tennessee that admits about 68% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $24,739 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Marketing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 72% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Lipscomb University is a private institution located in Nashville, Tennessee with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Lipscomb University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 68%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1210 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $24,739 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Lipscomb University?
66% of enrolled students at Lipscomb University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.86, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Lipscomb University weight in admissions?
Lipscomb University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Recommendations
- • Character/personal qualities
SAT and ACT scores Lipscomb University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 600. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1120 |
| 50th percentile | 1210 |
| 75th percentile | 1370 |
| % submitting SAT | 15% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 24 |
| 75th percentile | 29 |
| % submitting ACT | 66% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 38% |
| Top 25% of class | 65% |
| Top 50% of class | 88% |
| % submitting class rank | 14% |
How much does Lipscomb University actually cost?
Published tuition is $40,572 for in-state students and $40,572 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,424 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $24,739 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 24% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $39,144 |
| Room and board | $15,224 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $24,739 |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Lipscomb University
| Notification date | Rolling beginning March 1 |
| Reply deadline | No set date |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Lipscomb University?
These predict outcomes at Lipscomb University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Lipscomb University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Lipscomb University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Marketing. Across all programs, Lipscomb University confers roughly 341 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $81,972 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 79 | $81,972 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 62 | $69,023 |
| Marketing | 41 | — |
| Psychology, General | 40 | $43,062 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 34 | — |
| Biology, General | 31 | $76,487 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 29 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 25 | $79,655 |
Is Lipscomb University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Lipscomb University disclosed 2 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Lipscomb University?
About 46% of undergraduates at Lipscomb University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 19% of men join a fraternity and 23% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Tennessee parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for Lipscomb University
Common questions parents ask about Lipscomb University
What GPA do I need for Lipscomb University?
66% of enrolled students at Lipscomb University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.86, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Lipscomb University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 600. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–30.
How much does Lipscomb University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Lipscomb University after grants and scholarships is $24,739 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $40,572. Budget against the net figure.
Is Lipscomb University realistic for my child?
Lipscomb University admits 68% of applicants, so 570–680 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $24,739 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Lipscomb University?
Lipscomb University accepts about 68% of applicants out of roughly 4,259 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Lipscomb University test-optional?
Yes. Lipscomb University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Lipscomb University?
About 72% of students at Lipscomb University graduate within six years. 84% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Lipscomb University look for in applicants?
Lipscomb University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Lipscomb University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Lipscomb University is a private nonprofit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee.
What are the most popular majors at Lipscomb University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Lipscomb University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Marketing. The school awards about 341 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Lipscomb University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Lipscomb University reported 2 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Lipscomb University?
At Lipscomb University, 46% of undergraduates live on campus, 19% of men are in fraternities, 23% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Lipscomb University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers