Study in Memphis, The United States

About Memphis

Memphis is a large city in Tennessee, a state in the southern United States, with 610,919 inhabitants in 2024 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Rhodes College describes it as a city with an entrepreneurial spirit, a rich music heritage and a deep culture.

For international students, Memphis offers a choice between a public research university and two small private colleges, with low public transport costs and close links between the colleges and the city's hospitals, companies and cultural institutions. Teaching is in English.

Studying in Memphis

Our directory lists three universities and colleges in Memphis:

• The University of Memphis (UofM), founded in 1912, is a public research university in a quiet residential neighbourhood of the city. It welcomes more than 21,000 students each year, has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1 according to College Navigator, and holds the Carnegie R1 classification, the highest research designation.
• Rhodes College, established in 1848, is a residential liberal arts and sciences college with about 1,800 students from 44 states and 46 countries; 10% are international students. It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 and more than 70 majors, minors and interdisciplinary programmes. Through the Rhodes Promise, every student gets hands-on learning through research, an internship or study abroad, for example in the labs of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
• Christian Brothers University is a private Catholic university with 1,772 students, 1,155 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, according to College Navigator.

Rhodes College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's and master's degrees. At Rhodes, 95% of first-year students live on campus.

Student visa and academic year

International students usually need an F student visa, which covers study at an accredited college or university or at an English language institute. After admission, the school's international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes) for the visa application. According to EducationUSA, the academic year typically runs from September to May, and international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

According to College Navigator, tuition and fees for 2024-25 were:

• University of Memphis: $15,384 for out-of-state students ($10,728 for Tennessee residents), plus $11,342 for food and housing on campus
• Christian Brothers University: $38,420, plus $11,055 for food and housing on campus
• Rhodes College: $57,110, plus $13,620 for food and housing on campus

International students normally pay the out-of-state rate at public universities; check the current cost of attendance with each school. Public transport is cheap: the regular bus fare is $1.00 and a daily pass costs $2.00. In October 2026, MATA's fares page said that all rides were free during a Zero Fare 90-day pilot programme; the pilot is temporary, so check MATA's fares page for the current price.

Getting around and daily life

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) runs the city's buses and trolleys, plus on-demand services such as Groove On-Demand and Ready by MATA.

The climate has mild winters and hot summers. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Memphis International Airport give an average of 42.1 °F (about 5.5 °C) in January and 82.8 °F (about 28 °C) in July.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Memphis?

Our directory lists the University of Memphis, a public research university, and two private colleges: Rhodes College and Christian Brothers University.

How much does a year at university in Memphis cost?

For 2024-25, tuition and fees ranged from $15,384 for out-of-state students at the University of Memphis to $57,110 at Rhodes College, according to College Navigator, before food and housing.

Are there many international students in Memphis?

At Rhodes College, 10% of students are international and students come from 46 countries. The University of Memphis states that students and faculty come from all over the world.

How much does the bus cost in Memphis?

The regular MATA bus fare is $1.00 and a daily pass $2.00. In October 2026 all rides were free under MATA's temporary Zero Fare 90-day pilot; check MATA's fares page for the current price.