Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
Lipscomb University logo

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN·Private nonprofit·2,997 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

68%
Accept
2,997
Students
$24,739
Net Price
72%
Grad Rate
$51,500
Earnings
10 yr
$19,500
Debt

About This School

Lipscomb University is a private nonprofit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee with approximately 2,997 undergraduate students enrolled. Lipscomb University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. The average net price after financial aid is $24,739 per year. The graduation rate is 72%, and the typical graduate earns $51,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Lipscomb University is a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The campus is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville; it also maintains one satellite location called "Spark" in Downtown Nashville to serve the business community. Total student enrollment for the fall 2022 semester was 4,704, which included 2,955 undergraduate students and 1,749 graduate students. Lipscomb has been rated the #3 Best College in Tennessee.

Worth considering if you're drawn to a faith-based environment in Nashville and want a smaller, close-knit campus — the 86% freshman retention rate suggests students are generally happy once they arrive. The finances look reasonable, with a median debt of just $15,350 at graduation, though the 69% graduation rate means roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish, which is worth asking about directly. Median earnings of $51,500 a decade out are modest but manageable given the debt load, so outcomes depend heavily on your major and career focus.

Founded
1891
Setting
Large city
Religious Affiliation
United Brethren Church
Avg Faculty Salary
$8,832

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing19%
Visual & Performing Arts14%
Health Professions12%
Biological Sciences9%
Psychology8%
Engineering6%
Education3%
Computer Science3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Pat BooneKelsea BalleriniNikiGarrison MathewsGeorge Howard

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1256
Reading 75th %ile700
Math 75th %ile680

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite26

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$40,572
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,572
Avg Net Price
$24,739
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$20,048
$30–48k$20,009
$48–75k$24,124
$75–110k$25,210
$110k+$31,265

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants24%
Median debt at graduation$19,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
72%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
84%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$42,700
Female graduates$34,100

Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

What Each Major Actually Earns

Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.

Lipscomb University graduates earn most above the national rate in Business Administration, Management and Operations ($80,751 vs $68,257 nationally), and most below it in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,051 vs $88,910).

MajorGradsHereNationalDiff
Business Administration, Management and Operations61$80,751$68,257+$12,494
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing51$74,051$88,910−$14,859
Psychology, General47$47,933$50,706−$2,773
Biology, General43$54,965$57,214−$2,249
Marketing34$77,996$69,303+$8,693
Accounting and Related Services20$83,930$76,194+$7,736
Mechanical Engineering17$93,990$92,135+$1,855
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods16$44,328$47,382−$3,054
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General12$56,036$50,532+$5,504
Social Work10$53,938$51,790+$2,148
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas10$47,544$51,389−$3,845

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$37,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.6x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White66%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian3%
Two or more races3%
International3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,997 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Lipscomb University

One University Park Drive

Nashville, TN 37204-3951

View on Google Maps →

Schools Like This in Tennessee

Browse all Tennessee schools →

See How Colleges Compare

Lipscomb University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Lipscomb University?

Lipscomb University has an acceptance rate of 68%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Lipscomb University hard to get into?

Lipscomb University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 68%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.

How much does Lipscomb University cost?

The average net price at Lipscomb University is about $24,739 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at Lipscomb University?

Lipscomb University has a graduation rate of 72%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.