Memphis, TN · Private University
Is University of Memphis Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$48,458
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,344
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,784
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$59,136
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.28x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
49.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,300
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,253
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Memphis graduates earn $3,458 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Memphis ranked by graduate earnings
23 graduates
47 graduates
22 graduates
45 graduates
34 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Memphis
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Memphis, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $83,391) and the lowest (Sociology: $26,133) is $57,258/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $83,391 | 5.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,981 | 5.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $79,126 | 5.3x |
| Mathematics | $74,774 | 5.1x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $71,936 | 4.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $69,768 | 4.7x |
| Computer Science | $66,152 | 4.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,251 | 4.3x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $62,471 | 4.2x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $62,454 | 4.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $60,358 | 4.1x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $56,719 | 3.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,139 | 3.8x |
| International Business | $55,177 | 3.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,880 | 3.6x |
| Chemistry | $50,076 | 3.4x |
| Marketing | $48,886 | 3.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $45,974 | 3.1x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,058 | 3.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $42,763 | 2.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $41,474 | 2.8x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,211 | 2.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,173 | 2.8x |
| Journalism | $41,106 | 2.8x |
| Music | $41,074 | 2.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $41,006 | 2.8x |
| History | $40,908 | 2.8x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $39,819 | 2.7x |
| Biology, General | $39,689 | 2.7x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,408 | 2.7x |
| Social Work | $38,835 | 2.6x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $38,687 | 2.6x |
| Psychology, General | $38,074 | 2.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,313 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,076 | 2.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $35,056 | 2.4x |
| Anthropology | $34,339 | 2.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,494 | 2.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,151 | 1.8x |
| SociologyLowest | $26,133 | 1.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Memphis stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $48,458 10 years after starting, $3,458 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.4 years, faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to University of Memphis?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.