Students at the University of Memphis earn significantly more than similar students at other institutions, with graduates seeing an earnings boost of about $17,425 compared with peers nationwide.
This earnings advantage combines with strong affordability and broad access to create meaningful value for Tennessee families.
The University of Memphis serves as a comprehensive public research university that prioritizes accessibility while delivering solid long-term outcomes for its diverse student body. Nearly 40% of students receive Pell Grants and about 37% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's commitment to serving Tennessee families across income levels. The institution maintains affordable net prices, with low-income students paying around $10,985 annually and middle-income families seeing costs of approximately $15,357.
Graduates earn a median of $48,458 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong outcomes in nursing, engineering, and health sciences programs. The university's value proposition centers on combining broad access with reasonable debt levels—typical federal loan debt of $23,300 remains manageable given post-graduation earnings. As a large public research university in Memphis, the institution offers comprehensive academic programs while maintaining strong connections to regional employers and healthcare systems.
The University of Memphis represents a practical choice for students seeking quality education without excessive financial risk. Its combination of affordable pricing, diverse program offerings, and established regional presence makes it particularly valuable for Tennessee residents and students planning careers in the Mid-South region.
The University of Memphis demonstrates particular strength in health sciences and applied fields that align with regional workforce needs. Adult Health Nursing emerges as the standout program, combining substantial enrollment of 269 graduates with strong earnings of $58,968, making it both accessible and financially rewarding. Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents the university's largest program with 393 graduates, though earnings of $30,353 reflect the field's typically moderate early-career compensation.
Engineering programs deliver the highest individual returns, with Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earning $63,749 despite smaller cohort sizes of 22 students. This pattern reflects Memphis's connection to regional industries and healthcare systems that value technical expertise. The university's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that provide clear employment pathways, particularly in healthcare, engineering, and applied sciences where regional demand remains strong and graduates can build sustainable careers in the Mid-South market.
University of Memphis graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $48,458 ten years after enrollment. The university demonstrates strong value-added performance, with graduates earning about $17,425 more than similar students at comparable institutions—a meaningful earnings boost that reflects the institution's ability to help students exceed expectations. This earnings advantage places the university among institutions that consistently deliver stronger financial outcomes than their student profiles might predict.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly across fields of study. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the highest-return program and largest successful major, graduating 269 students with median earnings of $58,968. Electrical and Electronics Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $63,749 for its 22 graduates, while Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents the university's largest program with 393 graduates earning $30,353. These patterns reflect Memphis's strength in healthcare, engineering, and applied sciences, fields that align well with regional employer demand and provide clear career pathways for graduates.
The University of Memphis maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to Tennessee families with varying financial circumstances. Low-income students pay approximately $10,985 annually in net price, well below national averages for public universities, while middle-income families see costs around $15,357—a reasonable level that keeps higher education within reach. Even high-income families pay $19,252, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education affordable across the economic spectrum.
Debt levels remain manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $23,300 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $14,225. These amounts align well with the university's median graduate earnings of $48,458, creating a sustainable debt-to-income ratio that allows most borrowers to handle standard repayment without significant financial strain. The university's 0% federal loan default rate indicates that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully, though loan repayment patterns show that about 48% of borrowers are actively paying down their balances by year four, suggesting steady but measured progress toward full repayment.
University Of Memphis Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
