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#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

Memphis Admission Requirements

Memphis, Tennessee

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Your chances of getting into University of Memphis

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

94.6%
Admission Difficulty for University of Memphis
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Memphis is 94.6%.  Its admission rate is the 41st lowest in Tennessee.

Admission Selectivity

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

University of Memphis is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 14,916 out of the 15,767 who applied were admitted.

University of Memphis typically accepts and 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. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Memphis?

95% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Memphis you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.48 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1080 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Memphis GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.48

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Memphis?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Memphis are to have around a 3.48 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.48 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Memphis accepts 95% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Memphis is 3.48 on the 4.0 scale. 20% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #24 in Tennessee for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Memphis is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Memphis students
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 chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Memphis SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Memphis. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 3% of students submitted SAT scores and 78% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

930-1230

Applicants Submitting SAT 

3%
SAT Scores for University of Memphis
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 480
Math 25th Percentile 450
Composite 25th Percentile 930
SAT Scores for University of Memphis
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1230
Average SAT Score 1080

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Memphis?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Memphis is 1080 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 930-1230. Students who get into University of Memphis score in the top 73 percent of all SAT test takers..  Memphis ranks #25 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1080 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Memphis regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 930 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 930, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 780, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Memphis is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1080 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1080, you have around a 95% chance of being admitted. A 1230 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 97% chance of getting in.

University of Memphis admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1230 and Above Good >97%
1080 to 1230 Avg + 95%-97%
930 to 1080 Avg - 91%-95%
780 to 930 Reach 84%-91%
Less than 780 Low <84%
Calculate My Chances 

Memphis ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-24 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

78%
ACT Scores for University of Memphis
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 16
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for University of Memphis
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 23
Composite 75th Percentile 24
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Memphis?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Memphis is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 24.  The school ranks #31 in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 78 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Memphis.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Memphis is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Memphis for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 95% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 98% with a 24 ACT score.

University of Memphis admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
24 and Above Good >98%
20 to 24 Avg + 95%-98%
17 to 20 Avg - 92%-95%
14 to 17 Reach 86%-92%
Less than 14 Low <86%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

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

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Memphis admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 10,043 5,713 15,767
Accepted 9,578 5,327 14,916
Acceptance Rate 95% 93% 95%
Enrolled 1,407 1,006 2,414
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 19% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

229

Applicants have 229 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jul 1, 2025.

Application Fee

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

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
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
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

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Memphis
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Memphis is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.48 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1080 and ACT of 20 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Memphis often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=220862 IPEDS survey data for University of Memphis.

Last updated February 24, 2024