University Of Memphis maintains open access admission with a 93.4% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 19 in 20 applicants receive admission offers. This places University Of Memphis well above the peer median admission rate of 78.1%, demonstrating significantly more accessible admission standards than typical four-year institutions. The high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to provide broad educational access to students across academic preparation levels. Open access admission means most students who meet basic eligibility requirements can expect admission, making University Of Memphis an accessible option for students seeking four-year degree programs. For students building college lists, University Of Memphis represents a strong safety school option while still delivering meaningful post-graduation outcomes. The university's 93.4% admission rate should be understood alongside its strong value-added performance, where graduates earn significantly more than predicted based on incoming student characteristics. Applicants should focus on meeting basic admission requirements rather than competitive positioning, as the institution prioritizes access over selectivity in its enrollment approach.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at University Of Memphis typically score between 905 and 1,205 on the SAT, with a median of 1,051. The middle 50% range shows SAT Math scores from 440 to 590 and SAT Verbal scores from 465 to 615. ACT scores for enrolled students range from 17 to 24. These test score ranges fall 147 points below the peer median SAT score of 1,198, reflecting the institution's accessible admission standards and diverse student preparation levels. Students scoring below 905 on the SAT are less common but not automatically excluded, while those scoring above 1,205 represent the upper quartile of enrolled students. The test score distribution demonstrates University Of Memphis serves students across a wide range of academic preparation levels. For prospective students, scoring within the 905-1,205 SAT range indicates academic competitiveness for admission, though the 93.4% acceptance rate suggests most students meeting basic requirements will gain admission. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with this range when assessing institutional fit, particularly regarding academic rigor and peer preparation levels. The combination of accessible admission standards with strong value-added outcomes suggests University Of Memphis effectively supports students regardless of incoming test scores.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University Of Memphis enrolls a diverse student body with significant representation from underserved populations. The institution enrolls 40.0% Pell-eligible students, indicating a substantial population from lower-income families, alongside 36.8% first-generation students who are the first in their families to attend college. Additionally, 30.4% of students are transfers, suggesting pathways for community college graduates and students changing institutions. This composition reflects University Of Memphis's commitment to broad educational access and serving students who might face barriers at more selective institutions. The student body represents economic and educational diversity that aligns with the university's open access mission. First-generation students should know that more than one in three enrolled students share their background, providing peer community and institutional experience supporting their success. Students from lower-income families should consider the substantial 40.0% Pell share when assessing cultural and social fit. Transfer applicants should note the significant 30.4% transfer enrollment, indicating established pathways and support systems for students transitioning from other institutions. This diverse composition contributes to University Of Memphis's strong performance in economic mobility outcomes.
Given University Of Memphis's 93.4% acceptance rate, most qualified applicants should expect admission. The alternatives below offer different geographic locations, program strengths, or cost structures for students seeking additional options.
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University Of Memphis demonstrates mixed outcomes in student retention and completion, with 71.2% of freshmen returning for sophomore year compared to a peer median of 83.7%. Six-year graduation rates reach 49.4%, below the peer median of 65.9%. However, Pell-eligible students graduate at 50.3%, slightly higher than the overall completion rate, indicating relatively strong support systems for lower-income students. The positive 0.9 percentage point gap between Pell and overall completion rates suggests University Of Memphis provides effective support for students from lower-income backgrounds. Students who gain admission should understand that success requires active engagement with available support services, particularly given retention and completion rates below peer institutions. Lower-income students should view the positive Pell completion gap as an encouraging indicator of institutional commitment to their success. Prospective students should plan for the reality that academic persistence and degree completion require sustained effort and engagement with institutional resources. The university's strong earnings beyond expectations performance indicates that students who do complete their degrees achieve meaningful economic outcomes, making persistence particularly valuable.
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