Students at Le Moyne-Owen College benefit from exceptional affordability combined with earnings outcomes that far exceed expectations for similar students nationwide.
The college provides meaningful economic opportunity through accessible pricing and strong career preparation that helps graduates achieve financial success beyond what their backgrounds might predict.
Le Moyne-Owen College is a small private nonprofit institution in Memphis, Tennessee, that serves as an accessible pathway to higher education for students who might otherwise face barriers to college attendance. With over 71% of students receiving Pell Grants and nearly 49% being first-generation college students, the college demonstrates a strong commitment to educational access and opportunity.
The institution's affordability stands out significantly, with low-income students paying just $8,457 annually and middle-income families facing costs of $9,198 per year. These net prices place Le Moyne-Owen among the most affordable private colleges in the region, making higher education accessible to families across income levels.
As a historically black college, Le Moyne-Owen provides a supportive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can pursue their educational goals. The college's small size fosters close relationships between students and faculty, creating opportunities for mentorship and personalized academic support that can be particularly valuable for first-generation college students navigating higher education.
Le Moyne-Owen College operates with a focused academic portfolio designed to serve its mission of providing accessible higher education to underserved populations. As a small private institution, the college emphasizes personalized attention and mentorship rather than extensive program breadth, allowing faculty to work closely with students in developing both academic skills and career readiness.
The college's approach to program delivery reflects its commitment to student success despite limited resources. Rather than offering numerous specialized majors, Le Moyne-Owen focuses on core disciplines that prepare students for stable career paths in education, business, social services, and healthcare. This concentrated approach allows the institution to maintain quality while keeping costs manageable for students and families.
The strong value-added earnings performance suggests that regardless of specific major, Le Moyne-Owen effectively prepares students for career advancement. The college's emphasis on practical skills, professional development, and community engagement helps graduates transition successfully into the workforce and achieve earnings that exceed expectations. This outcome-focused approach demonstrates that institutional effectiveness can be achieved through dedicated faculty mentorship and career preparation rather than program proliferation.
Le Moyne-Owen College graduates achieve meaningful long-term earnings that demonstrate the value of their education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $35,594, with the institution showing particularly strong performance in helping students exceed earnings expectations. The college's value-added earnings of over $12,000 indicates that graduates earn substantially more than similar students at other institutions, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in preparing students for career success.
While the college's program offerings are focused, graduates benefit from the personalized attention and career preparation that comes with a small institutional environment. The close-knit community allows for strong faculty mentorship and career guidance that helps students transition successfully into the workforce. Many graduates enter fields in education, social services, business, and healthcare, where the college's emphasis on service and community engagement provides valuable preparation.
The earnings outcomes are particularly noteworthy given the college's mission of serving first-generation and low-income students. The substantial earnings beyond expectations suggest that Le Moyne-Owen effectively prepares students who might face additional challenges in the job market, helping them achieve financial stability and career advancement that exceeds what might be predicted based on their backgrounds alone.
Le Moyne-Owen College stands out for exceptional affordability across all income levels. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $8,457 per year, while middle-income families face annual costs of $9,198. These figures place the college among the most affordable private institutions in Tennessee and the broader region, making quality higher education accessible to families who might otherwise struggle with college costs.
The college's generous financial aid approach helps students minimize borrowing while pursuing their degrees. Federal student loan debt averages $28,070 for graduates, which is manageable given the institution's strong track record of helping students achieve earnings that exceed expectations. Parent PLUS borrowing is minimal at $7,100 on average, indicating that families can largely cover their contributions through the college's aid packages and other resources.
What makes Le Moyne-Owen particularly sustainable financially is the combination of low upfront costs and strong long-term value. The college's ability to keep net prices low while still delivering earnings outcomes that substantially exceed expectations creates a compelling value proposition for students and families seeking both immediate affordability and long-term financial return on their educational investment.
Le Moyne-Owen College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
