Admit rate has ranged 62%–74% 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.
Lipscomb University is a private Christian liberal arts institution in Nashville that operates with a distinctive blend of faith-based community and serious professional preparation. It's a place where business, healthcare, and education majors thrive within a supportive campus culture, backed by a near-universal financial aid rate and a pragmatic focus on post-graduate outcomes. The vibe is earnest, engaged, and deeply connected to the energy of Music City, offering a more accessible alternative to the region's hyper-selective universities.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
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
2,997
In-state tuition
$40,572
Out-of-state tuition
$40,572
Demonstrated Interest
Considered
Early Action Deadline
January 15
6-Year Graduation Rate
72%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$55,541
First-Year Retention Rate
84%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,541
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
Graduation rate
72%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
69%
Pell (lower-income) share
24%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
24%
Financial health
2.0 / 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.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$58,221
Accounting and Related Services$54,697
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$53,080
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General$42,682
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$41,342
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
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
86
Summer high
87°F
Winter low
35°F
Annual rain
74.6"
Annual snow
5.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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
99
Scholarly works
1,345
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
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
15%
From bottom quintile
4%
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 Lipscomb University?
Lipscomb University's acceptance rate is approximately 68% (Nashville, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Lipscomb University?
Admitted students at Lipscomb University typically score 1160–1380 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Lipscomb University cost?
At Lipscomb University, the average net price (after aid) is about $24,739 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Lipscomb University?
Lipscomb University enrolls approximately 2,997 undergraduate students.
Where is Lipscomb University located?
Lipscomb University is located in Nashville, TN.
Admissions
Lipscomb's admissions process is moderately selective, offering a tangible pathway for students with solid academic records. The university does not have an open admission policy. For the middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores, SAT scores range from 1160 to 1380. The admissions office considers a range of factors in its . According to the , academic factors like the rigor of secondary school record, GPA, and standardized test scores are rated as "very important." Non-academic factors such as character/personal qualities and religious affiliation/commitment are also considered "very important." Other elements like extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and volunteer work are rated as "important." Notably, demonstrated interest—a student's level of engagement with the university—is listed as "considered" in the admissions evaluation, meaning it can play a role but is not a primary driver. The university offers an Early Action deadline of January 15 for merit and departmental scholarship consideration, including access to the Honors College.
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.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$39,369
Marketing$32,925
Human Resources Management and Services$32,563
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.
Lipscomb's academic profile is defined by a strong liberal arts core paired with highly regarded professional programs that connect directly to the Nashville economy. The most popular majors cluster in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, as well as Visual and Performing Arts. The university's undergraduate and graduate programs have been ranked among the best in the country, with specific recognition for its education, healthcare, and business programs. This isn't a purely theoretical education; the institution describes its approach as preparing students "not only for their careers, but for their lives." Students can explore a wide array of programs through an interactive program finder, searching by level, field of study, and college or school. The academic culture aims to be transformative, pairing deep knowledge with practical application.
Life at Lipscomb is active, relational, and intentionally shaped by its Christian identity. The campus community represents over 50 nations, and Student Life exists to create a culture where students from every background can build relationships and find belonging. Engagement is a major theme, with a vast array of student organizations covering academic and professional clubs, music and drama groups, publications, and service organizations. Campus Ministries, Dance, Drama/Theater, and Film clubs are among the many offered. The official Instagram account for Student Life highlights a focus on culture, creativity, and excellence. The experience is designed to expose students to cultural differences and empower them to engage with one another, all within the vibrant context of Nashville—a city that serves as an extended campus for internships, culture, and entertainment.
Lipscomb demonstrates a strong commitment to student success, with outcomes that often exceed national benchmarks. The university's six-year graduation rate is a key performance indicator. The institution has set a goal to maintain a six-year graduation rate of 62% or higher, and recent reports show it achieving a 72% rate, placing it within the top 30% of institutions nationwide. This strong performance in graduation rates and value-added outcomes contributed to Lipscomb receiving a four-star rating from Money magazine for a second consecutive year. For graduates, the median alumni salary has been reported at $45,943, and the median earnings ten years after entry are $55,541. The first-year retention rate is a robust 84%, indicating students are generally satisfied and successfully integrated after their initial year.
Affordability is a central pillar of Lipscomb's value proposition, with financial aid reaching nearly every student. A remarkable 99% of undergraduates receive some form of financial help, which can include merit-based scholarships, work-study programs, and federal grants. The average aid package is substantial. For students applying for financial aid, the average amount received is $19,230. The —the average cost after aid and scholarships—is a critical figure for families. The university provides a Net Price Calculator to help families estimate their individual cost. To receive full financial aid, undergraduate students must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours; aid is prorated for those taking fewer classes. , including federal grants and Direct Stafford loans, is available to students who demonstrate financial need based on their FAFSA information. The university's financial aid materials detail various types of aid but do not advertise a no-loan policy that meets 100% of need for all qualifying students.
Lipscomb carves out a unique niche by refusing to be just another small Christian college or a generic Nashville university. Its distinctiveness lies in the specific fusion of a faith-based, relational community with a sharply practical, career-oriented curriculum that leverages its prime location. While chapel and campus ministries are woven into the fabric of daily life, the classroom conversation is equally focused on boardrooms, classrooms, and clinics. This produces a particular kind of graduate: one who is both values-oriented and professionally prepared. The numbers tell a compelling story of this synthesis: a 99% financial aid rate makes it accessible, a 72% graduation rate shows students follow through, and strong rankings in education, business, and healthcare confirm the quality of its flagship programs. It’s a campus where students can pursue a music business degree with a clear conscience, engage in service projects downtown, and land an internship at a major healthcare corporation—all within a supportive, familiar environment that feels like a world away from the impersonal lecture halls of a massive state school.
Lipscomb University seal · sourceNashville Campus | · sourceLipscomb University Campus Tour 2020 · sourceExperience Lipscomb University in Virtual Reality. · source
