Rhodes College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Memphis, Tennessee · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
50%
6,365 applicants
Median SAT
1420
Mid 50: 1352.5–1477.5
In-state tuition
$57,110
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$28,585
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Rhodes College is a private nonprofit university in Memphis, Tennessee that admits about 50% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $28,585 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Neurobiology and Neurosciences, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 84% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Rhodes College is a private institution located in Memphis, Tennessee with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Rhodes College admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 50%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1420 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,585 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Rhodes College?

58% of enrolled students at Rhodes College had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
18.0%
3.75–3.99
40.0%
3.50–3.74
21.0%
3.25–3.49
14.0%
3.00–3.24
5.0%
2.50–2.99
2.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Rhodes College.

What does Rhodes College weight in admissions?

Rhodes College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important3 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
Important4 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Character/personal qualities

SAT and ACT scores Rhodes College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–753, with an EBRW midpoint near 705. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1352.5
50th percentile1420
75th percentile1477.5
% submitting SAT17%
ACT Composite
25th percentile28
50th percentile31
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT33%
Current testing policy
  • 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 class50%
Top 25% of class80%
Top 50% of class97%
% submitting class rank27%

How much does Rhodes College actually cost?

Published tuition is $57,110 for in-state students and $57,110 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,620 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,585 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 16% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$58,000
Room and board$14,300
Average net price (after aid)$28,585
Application fee$0 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Rhodes College

Regular admission
Regular deadlineJanuary 15
Notification dateMarch 15
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 15
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)37%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 15

Will my child graduate from Rhodes College?

These predict outcomes at Rhodes College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
91.49%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
73.1%
finished on time
6-year graduation
84.3%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Rhodes College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Rhodes College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Neurobiology and Neurosciences. Across all programs, Rhodes College confers roughly 308 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $83,816 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business Administration, Management and Operations71$83,816
Biology, General47$60,895
Neurobiology and Neurosciences37
Chemistry36
Psychology, General33$54,788
Political Science and Government32$77,515
Computer Science28
English Language and Literature, General24$57,062
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Rhodes College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Rhodes College disclosed 12 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
12
6.5 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.54 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
2
1.09 per 1,000
Burglary
4
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,836 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Rhodes College?

About 72% of undergraduates at Rhodes College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
72%
of undergraduates
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Rhodes College.

Other colleges in Tennessee parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Rhodes College

Common questions parents ask about Rhodes College

What GPA do I need for Rhodes College?

58% of enrolled students at Rhodes College had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Rhodes College typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–753, with an EBRW midpoint near 705. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–32.

How much does Rhodes College actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Rhodes College after grants and scholarships is $28,585 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $57,110. Budget against the net figure.

Is Rhodes College realistic for my child?

Rhodes College admits 50% of applicants, so 650–753 SAT Math is target range and below 650 is a reach. Then check the $28,585 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Rhodes College?

Rhodes College accepts about 50% of applicants out of roughly 6,365 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Rhodes College test-optional?

Yes. Rhodes College 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 Rhodes College?

About 84% of students at Rhodes College graduate within six years, and 73% finish in four years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Rhodes College?

Rhodes College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 37%, compared with its overall rate of 50%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.

What does Rhodes College look for in applicants?

Rhodes College rates course rigor, class rank 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 Rhodes College a public or private school, and where is it located?

Rhodes College is a private nonprofit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee.

What are the most popular majors at Rhodes College?

The largest undergraduate majors at Rhodes College by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Neurobiology and Neurosciences. The school awards about 308 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Rhodes College safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Rhodes College reported 12 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.5 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 Rhodes College?

At Rhodes College, 72% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Rhodes College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers