Academic Programs & Learning

University of Memphis

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

17:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

71%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

55%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 17:1 means there are approximately 17 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 38% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
896
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
27%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (24%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors5
Associate Professors30
Assistant Professors67
Instructors & Lecturers211
Other Instructional Staff583

Understanding Faculty Composition

University of Memphis employs 896 instructional staff members. About 24% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (16,771 enrolled)
3,443
exclusively online (20.5%)
Same state 2,722 (79.1%)
Other US states 712 (20.7%)
Outside US 6 (0.2%)
Graduate (4,965 enrolled)
1,651
exclusively online (33.3%)
Same state 1,287 (78%)
Other US states 346 (21%)
Outside US 10 (0.6%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

79% of University of Memphis's exclusively online undergraduates are located in TN. An additional 21% study from other US states.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

16,233
Total FTE
12,988
Undergraduate FTE
3,245
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
12,988 (80.0%)
Graduate FTE
3,245 (20.0%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:74.7% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

74.7%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate

A mix of full-time and part-time students, offering flexibility for those balancing work, family, and education.

Undergraduate FTE
12,988
Graduate FTE
3,245
Total FTE
16,233
Headcount
21,736

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact University of Memphis directly at 9016782000 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1 supports personalized learning
  • 896 instructional staff with 24% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students from TN and beyond (21% out-of-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at University of Memphis?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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