Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Nashville, Tennessee
66.6% Acceptance Rate
Lipscomb University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
66.6%Acceptance Rate
3.73Avg GPA
1248Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$53,549Annual Cost
$55,541Grad Salary
21.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
66.6%
Avg GPA
3.73
Avg SAT
1248
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1145–1350
ACT Middle 50%
22–29
Need-Based Aid
21.2% receive Pell
Lipscomb University, founded in 1891, is a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee, affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Ranked among regional universities in the South, it offers strong programs in pharmacy, business, and music. The growing campus features modern facilities including the new Croley Nursing and Health Sciences Center.
Lipscomb integrates faith with learning through its 'Christian Leadership Program' and emphasis on service. The university's Nashville location provides students with exceptional internship opportunities in music, healthcare, and business while maintaining a close-knit faith community.
Lipscomb University Acceptance Rate
At 66.6%, admission to Lipscomb University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 66.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.28
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lipscomb University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Lipscomb University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of October 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 66 days left — Early Action I
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action I
October 15
Early Action II
November 15
Regular Decision
January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb is 3.73. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.43 and 3.73? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.93–4.13.David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.33 – 3.52
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.32
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Essay/personal statement is not required unless GPA/test scores fall below Lipscomb's median range.
- An academic reference from a school official is required for all traditional applicants.
- Admissions interview is mandatory for every applicant.
- Early application deadline (Nov 15) carries real scholarship/financial aid priority.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Lipscomb University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lipscomb University (David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb Without SAT or ACT?
David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lipscomb University Average SAT Score: 1248
Admitted students at Lipscomb University average a 1248 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1248 — Slightly Competitive
A 1248 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1350 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lipscomb University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1145? A retake is worth it at David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 618 | 565 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 630 | 580 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1248 | 1145 | 1350 |
A score under 1145 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1350+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Lipscomb University (David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Lipscomb University (David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb) ACT Requirements
David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb's admitted students average an ACT of 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
An average of 26 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT English | 27 | 22 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 22 | 29 |
Can I get into Lipscomb University with a 29 ACT?
At 29, you're in the top quarter of David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Know when the essay actually kicks in
Lipscomb doesn't require an essay for most applicants - it's only triggered if your academic profile falls below their median range, at which point a supplemental essay goes to a committee for possible admission through the Empower Program. Below-median applicants should treat that essay as their real chance to make the case.
Get the right kind of recommender
Lipscomb specifically wants an academic reference - a teacher, principal, guidance counselor, or other school administrator - not a coach or family friend. Homeschoolers are the one exception and can submit a personal recommendation from someone unrelated.
Apply by November 15 for real leverage
Early application isn't just a formality here - it comes with priority consideration for scholarships and certain financial aid. Get transcripts and test scores in ahead of that date rather than the later rolling deadline.
The interview is mandatory, not optional
Every applicant goes through an admissions interview, by phone or in person. Prep for it as a real evaluative step, not a formality - it's where Lipscomb wants to hear directly what the essay/application doesn't fully capture.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes skip essay prep entirely since Lipscomb doesn't require one by default. That's a mistake for anyone near or below the median academic range - the supplemental essay is a real committee-reviewed lifeline into the Empower Program, and going in unprepared wastes it.
David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb Profile
Full Name
Lipscomb University (David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb)
City
Nashville
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37204-3951
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb Degree Worth It?
Whether David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $67,000, and graduates see a 2.83% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb Cost?
Listed tuition runs $53,549/year at David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb, 21.2% receive a Pell Grant and 33.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb graduates report a median income of $55,541, about 37% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lipscomb University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lipscomb University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lipscomb University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About David Lipscomb University David Lipscomb Lipscomb Admissions
Lipscomb University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $55,541/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Lipscomb University runs high, at roughly $53,549+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
21.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Lipscomb University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Lipscomb University's acceptance rate is 66.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Lipscomb University students is 3.73, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.43 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Lipscomb University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.33 or below makes admission tougher at Lipscomb University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Lipscomb University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1248, and within the 1145–1350 range, keeps you competitive.
Lipscomb University's deadline is October 15 (Early Action I). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026. That's Lipscomb University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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