Memphis Admission Requirements

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Memphis Admission Overview

Memphis admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Memphis admitted 72% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.48 GPA (B+) and SAT 915-1180 / ACT 18-24. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Memphis Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

72%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Memphis

Acceptance Rate

The Memphis acceptance rate is 72%. Last year, 10,865 of 15,084 applicants were admitted. That is the 22nd lowest acceptance rate in Tennessee.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Memphis and can you get accepted?

Memphis is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of Memphis typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.48. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Memphis GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.48

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.48

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Memphis typically have around a 3.48 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades.

20% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #22 in Tennessee for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of Memphis freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 20.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 15.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 18.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Memphis Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of Memphis requires first-time freshmen to provide SAT or ACT scores for the 2026-27 admissions cycle. Applicants may self-report GPA and ACT or SAT composite scores with subscores for a faster decision; official results must come from the testing agency, and scores are valid only if taken within five years of the planned enrollment term. The University uses ACT and SAT sub-scores for course placement. First-time students age 21 or older take the ACCUPLACER instead of the SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/basics/requirements.php

Memphis SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

915-1180

Freshmen who sent SAT

4%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 480
  • Math 435
  • Composite 915
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Memphis

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 600
  • Math 580
  • Composite 1180
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Memphis

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Memphis typically score around a 1050 SAT (middle 50% 915–1180) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 49th percentile nationally. Memphis ranks #23 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 915 to 1180

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

You must send SAT or ACT for 2026-27. Confirm current rules on the school's site.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1050 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Memphis
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1180+ Above 75th >83%
1050 to 1180 Avg + 72%-83%
915 to 1050 Avg - 58%-72%
Below 915 Below mid-50 <58%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Memphis ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

18-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

90%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 17
  • Math 16
  • Composite 18
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Memphis

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 25
  • Math 23
  • Composite 24
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Memphis

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Memphis typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 18–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Memphis places #27 among colleges in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

ACT or SAT is required for 2026-27. Check the school's site for current rules.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Memphis
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
24+ Above 75th >83%
21 to 24 Avg + 72%-83%
18 to 21 Avg - 58%-72%
Below 18 Below mid-50 <58%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

70% of University of Memphis freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 38% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Memphis students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 16%
Top 25% of class 38%
Top 50% of class 70%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.

Open the Memphis chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Memphis admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,537 5,546 15,084
Accepted 6,898 3,966 10,865
Acceptance Rate 72% 72% 72%
Enrolled 1,153 808 1,962
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 20% 18%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Memphis and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Memphis application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

304

Applicants have 304 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jul 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Memphis is $25.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Memphis
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Memphis is test-required for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 72% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.48 GPA (about an B+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of Memphis often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=220862.

GPA calculator: University of Memphis GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026