University of Memphis: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Harrisonburg, Tennessee · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
76%
38,426 applicants
Avg SAT
1260
Mid 50: 1190–1330
In-state tuition
$13,576
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$21,816
after aid, what families pay

University of Memphis is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Tennessee. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Memphis admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 76%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1247 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,816 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of Memphis is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for University of Memphis?

University of Memphis has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Memphis.

What does University of Memphis weight in admissions?

University of Memphis reports the following factor importance in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). These are the criteria the admissions committee weighs when reviewing applications.

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important2 factors
  • First generation status
  • State residency
Considered10 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Geographical residence
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered4 factors
  • Class rank
  • Interview
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

SAT and ACT scores University of Memphis typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1190
50th percentile1260
75th percentile1330
% submitting SAT14%
ACT Composite
25th percentile24
50th percentile27
75th percentile29
% submitting ACT3%
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 class18.9%
Top 25% of class31.7%
Top 50% of class37.1%
% submitting class rank45.61%

How much does University of Memphis actually cost?

Published tuition is $13,576 for in-state students and $30,790 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,584 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $21,816 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

In-state tuition$8,150
Out-of-state tuition$25,496
Room and board$13,056
Average net price (after aid)$21,816
Application fee$70 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Memphis

Regular admission
Regular deadlineJanuary 15
Notification dateRegular Deadline: Mid-Late March
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from University of Memphis?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

Freshman retention
91.9%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
79.7%
finished within 6 years

Other colleges in Tennessee parents ask about

How parents track GPA toward selective schools like University of Memphis

Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like University of Memphis recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.

Common questions parents ask about University of Memphis

What GPA do I need for University of Memphis?

University of Memphis has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Memphis typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–29.

How much does University of Memphis actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Memphis after grants and scholarships is $21,816 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.

Is University of Memphis realistic for my child?

Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, University of Memphis is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.

Data sourced from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Memphis, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.