University of Memphis acceptance rate and admissions profile
University of Memphis, a public university in Tennessee, reports a 72% acceptance rate and sits in the moderately selective band. In practice that means it admits more applicants than it rejects, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.
Use this page to see what University of Memphis weighs, where it ranks among Tennessee schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1200, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.
Will I get into University of Memphis?
Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of Memphis, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.
What are my chances of getting into University of Memphis?
Your odds at University of Memphis are not the same as its 72% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of Memphis in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.
Is University of Memphis hard to get into?
University of Memphis is moderately selective: it admits more applicants than it rejects, with about a 72% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.
What GPA do you need to get into University of Memphis?
There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of Memphis, but admitted students often present roughly a 3.2 to 3.7 GPA. University of Memphis reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.
What SAT score do you need for University of Memphis?
University of Memphis does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1200. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at University of Memphis.
What University of Memphis looks for
What University of Memphis weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.
The factors that carry the most weight at University of Memphis are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of Memphis's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.
SAT score positioning at University of Memphis
How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.
How University of Memphis compares in Tennessee
University of Memphis ranks #20 most selective of 33 schools in Tennessee in our database.
Among the 33 Tennessee schools we track, University of Memphis ranks #20 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Vanderbilt University (6%) and Fisk University (37%) sit nearby, which makes Tennessee a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.
Similar to University of Memphis
Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.
Applicants targeting University of Memphis often weigh James Madison University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and University of Missouri-Kansas City, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Memphis value most in applicants?
Based on its admissions profile, University of Memphis weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.
Does University of Memphis favor in-state applicants?
As a public university, University of Memphis generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.
How can I improve my chances at University of Memphis?
Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of Memphis specifically.
What are the admission requirements for University of Memphis?
University of Memphis reviews GPA, course rigor, test scores (where submitted), activities, and essays. With a more accessible acceptance rate, meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.
Is University of Memphis test-optional?
Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm University of Memphis's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1200; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.
Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.