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, a private Christian institution in the heart of Nashville, combines rigorous academics with a tight-knit community vibe. Known for its strong business, education, and healthcare programs, Lipscomb offers a blend of faith-based values and practical career preparation, all while leveraging its dynamic Music City location.
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
Location
Nashville, TN
Campus Housing
46% of students
Acceptance Rate
67-68%
Student Receiving Aid
99%
6-Year Graduation Rate
69%
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
41%
First-generation share
24%
Endowment / student
$39,127
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 University is somewhat selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 67-68%. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1120-1370 on the SAT or 23-30 on the ACT. While test scores are considered, the university emphasizes a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. process that includes high school GPA (average unstated but implied as competitive for the selectivity tier). Notably, 99% of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid, making it accessible despite its private school sticker price.
Lipscomb’s academic strengths lie in its business, visual and performing arts, and health-related programs, which are frequently ranked among the best in the region. The university offers a robust selection of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a focus on integrating faith and learning. Small class sizes (average unstated but implied by its liberal arts ethos) foster close faculty-student relationships. The College of Business stands out with a 79% six-year graduation rate, well above the university’s overall 69% rate.
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.
Life at Lipscomb balances spiritual formation with Nashville’s vibrant cultural scene. About 46% of students live on campus, and the university actively fosters community through residence life, spiritual activities, and student engagement programs. Safety is a standout—97% of students report feeling "extremely safe" on campus. The student body represents over 50 nations, adding global perspectives to campus discussions. Lipscomb’s Instagram-worthy traditions and proximity to Music City’s internships and concerts make it a dynamic place to live and learn.
Lipscomb graduates fare well post-graduation, with a 69% six-year graduation rate (topping the national average for private universities). The College of Business reports near-perfect employment rates for recent grads (98.7% in 2025). Alumni earn a median salary of $36,427 one year after graduation, reflecting strong regional career placement. The university’s emphasis on "value-added outcomes" (per its four-star Money rating) suggests students exceed expectations given their academic profiles.
Tuition at Lipscomb is $64,328 per year, but the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $27,386 after aid—thanks to 99% of undergraduates receiving financial assistance. The average freshman aid package is $36,266, blending merit scholarships, grants, and work-study. While the sticker price is steep, Lipscomb’s aid policies make it competitive with public universities for many families.
Lipscomb’s Nashville location is a game-changer: students intern at healthcare giants like HCA or record labels downtown, all while enjoying a faith-based, community-oriented campus. Its business and arts programs punch above their weight, and the university’s 99% aid rate defies the private-school price tag. For students seeking a mid-sized, values-driven education with big-city perks, Lipscomb is a compelling choice.
Lipscomb University logo · sourceNashville Campus | · sourceLipscomb University Campus Tour 2020 · sourceExperience Lipscomb University in Virtual Reality. · source
