Admit rate has ranged 50%–78% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Lincoln Memorial University, nestled in the Appalachian foothills of Harrogate, Tennessee, is a mission-driven institution with a distinctly practical, community-focused ethos. It operates less as a traditional liberal arts college and more as a regional engine for professional preparation, particularly in the health sciences and education, serving a student body that is overwhelmingly female and deeply connected to the local area. The vibe is supportive, unpretentious, and hands-on, where a 9:1 student-faculty ratio translates to personal investment from professors and a campus life centered more on intramural sports and tight-knit organizations than a bustling party scene.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,572
In-state tuition
$26,938
Out-of-state tuition
$26,938
Early Decision
Not offered
No-Loan Policy
No
Female Students
68.9%
Graduation Rate
50%
Meets Full Need
No
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$49,956
Financial Aid Recipients
~90%
First-Year Retention Rate
72%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,956
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$20,000
Graduation rate
50%
First-year retention
72%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
59%
Pell (lower-income) share
37%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
41%
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$52,733
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$47,863
Criminal Justice and Corrections$33,459
Business/Commerce, General$32,925
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$28,960
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.33
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
101
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
32°F
Annual rain
52.2"
Annual snow
9.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
60
Scholarly works
1,814
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.1%
Bottom → top quintile
14%
From bottom quintile
14%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Lincoln Memorial University?
Lincoln Memorial University's acceptance rate is approximately 63% (Harrogate, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Lincoln Memorial University?
Admitted students at Lincoln Memorial University typically score 1000–1210 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Lincoln Memorial University cost?
At Lincoln Memorial University, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,406 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Lincoln Memorial University?
Lincoln Memorial University enrolls approximately 1,572 undergraduate students.
Where is Lincoln Memorial University located?
Lincoln Memorial University is located in Harrogate, TN.
Admissions
Lincoln Memorial University maintains an accessible admissions process, prioritizing students prepared for its professional and pre-professional programs. The university is classified as "less selective," with a that places significant weight on academic preparedness.
Selectivity & Process: The is 63%. The university does not offer an Early Decision program, meaning all applicants are considered under a regular decision timeline. For students who are admitted, the rate—the percentage who choose to enroll—is approximately 16%, indicating that many admitted students ultimately attend other institutions.
Academic Profile: The middle 50% of admitted students who submit test scores have an SAT range of 1000–1210 and an ACT range of 18–24. The university has a policy for applicants with a high school GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale. For students who submit scores, the average GPA of admitted students is roughly 3.5. For certain direct pathways, like the Pathway 1 program, more specific minimums apply, such as a GPA of 3.2 and a minimum ACT composite score of 19.
What Matters: The undergraduate admissions criteria highlight the high school GPA as a key factor. While the is the standard source for detailed factor importance, LMU's published criteria emphasize academic achievement over standardized testing for many applicants.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
$27,048
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
LMU's academic identity is firmly rooted in professional preparation and applied learning, structured through distinct colleges and a notably intimate classroom environment.
Structure & Programs: The university is organized into colleges, including a newly formed College of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences. It offers advanced curricula for over 30 undergraduate and graduate programs, with a pronounced focus on business, education, and the health professions. This professional tilt is the cornerstone of its academic mission.
Learning Environment: The student-faculty ratio is an exceptionally low 9:1, fostering close interaction between students and professors. This environment supports a 72% average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction with their initial academic and social experience. The university's pedagogical approach has earned it recognition as a "College of Distinction," receiving accolades for Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes.
Culture: The academic culture is described as supportive and invested. Faculty are noted for investing in students personally and showing interest in their lives beyond the classroom, contributing to a tailored and focused educational experience.
Life at LMU's Harrogate campus is characterized by a close-knit, supportive community where academics are the central focus, supplemented by traditional collegiate activities.
Campus Demographics & Vibe: The total undergraduate enrollment is approximately 1,605 students, with a notable gender imbalance: about 68.9% of students are female. The campus atmosphere is repeatedly described as "friendly," "welcoming," and "focused on helping students succeed both personally and professionally." It provides an environment designed for deep academic focus.
Social & Extracurricular Scene: While the on-campus party scene is not prominent, students find community through intramural sports, Greek life, and a variety of clubs and organizations. Athletics play a significant role in campus culture. The overall feeling is one of a vibrant but not overwhelming social calendar, where involvement is accessible and encouraged.
Community Ethos: The prevailing sentiment from student descriptions is of a "supportive community" that makes students feel at home. Faculty involvement extends beyond the classroom, reinforcing a personal investment in student success.
Student outcomes at LMU reflect its mission as a provider of career-oriented education, with graduation rates that show variation across student demographics.
Graduation Rates: The university's graduation rate is a key metric. Sources report varying figures: a 62% graduation rate, a 54% overall rate, and a 52% six-year graduation rate. Data also indicates a persistent gap in outcomes, with a 17% difference between male and female graduation rates for one recent cohort. For Appalachian students, specific achievement data is tracked, underscoring the university's regional commitment.
Post-Graduate Metrics: The median earnings for students working ten years after entering Lincoln Memorial University is $49,956. This earnings potential is a central component of the value proposition for its professionally focused degrees.
Context: These outcomes place LMU within the spectrum of regional private universities, with its performance in graduation rates noted as "average" in some comparisons. The significant gender gap in graduation rates is a distinctive data point that the institution monitors.
LMU is proactive in providing financial assistance to make attendance feasible, though it does not advertise a no-loan, full-need met policy common at wealthier private institutions.
Affordability & Aid Prevalence: The average after aid is $20,406. Financial aid is widespread, with nearly 90% of LMU undergraduate students receiving some type of financial assistance through scholarships and grants. One source states that 100% of full-time beginning undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid.
Policies & Procedures: The university requires students to complete the FAFSA annually to apply for federal, state, and institutional aid. It offers federal Direct Subsidized Loans to undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. To maintain aid eligibility, students must successfully complete 67% of attempted credits each term and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Institutional Stance: Unlike some elite schools, LMU is not among the institutions that promise to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans. Its aid packages are a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Lincoln Memorial University carves out a distinctive niche that separates it from both large research universities and typical liberal arts colleges.
Mission-Driven & Regional Anchor: Its identity is deeply intertwined with serving the Appalachian region. This isn't just rhetorical; it's evidenced in tracked outcomes for Appalachian students and a programmatic focus on fields like health professions and education that directly meet community needs. It functions as a crucial talent pipeline for the area.
The Practical Intimacy: The combination of a hyper-low 9:1 student-faculty ratio with a fiercely practical, career-oriented curriculum is its unique formula. Students don't get lost in lecture halls; they get known by professors in programs designed explicitly for job placement. This creates an environment where "Great Teaching" and "Successful Outcomes"—as recognized by its College of Distinction awards—are linked directly.
Authentic Community Vibe: The campus culture lacks the pretension or intense pressure of more selective schools. Descriptions of a "friendly," "welcoming," and "supportive" atmosphere are consistent. This, coupled with a student body that is predominantly female and engaged in low-key campus life like intramurals and clubs, fosters a genuine sense of belonging for students who might be overlooked at larger, more impersonal institutions. It’s a place for doers who want a direct path to a profession within a community that feels like home.
Lincoln Memorial University seal · sourceHome | LMU · sourceExperience LMU · sourceLincoln Memorial University — Admissions, Tuition & Acceptance Rate | Appily · source
