Rhodes College is a private liberal arts college located in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1848, it is historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and emphasizes undergraduate education in the arts and sciences. The college enrolls approximately 2,000 students and offers majors across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. Its campus in Midtown Memphis is known for Collegiate Gothic architecture and proximity to cultural institutions and community organizations. Rhodes College attracts students interested in close faculty interaction, experiential learning, research opportunities, and engagement with the city of Memphis through internships, service, and community-based programs.
With a 50.35% acceptance rate, Rhodes College is moderately selective. Applicants are expected to show good academic performance and readiness for college-level coursework. Students with consistent grades, extracurricular involvement, and a well-prepared application are typically competitive for admission.
Rhodes College was founded in 1848 in Clarksville, Tennessee, as the Masonic University of Tennessee. In 1850, it was renamed Stewart College in honor of its president, William M. Stewart, and in 1855 control of the institution passed to the Presbyterian Church. In 1875, the school became Southwestern Presbyterian University and added a School of Theology, which operated until 1917. Facing limitations in Clarksville, the college relocated to Memphis in 1925 under President Charles Diehl and adopted the name Southwestern. It later became Southwestern at Memphis in 1945. In 1984, the institution was renamed Rhodes College to honor former president Peyton Nalle Rhodes. Since moving to Memphis, Rhodes College has expanded its academic programs, strengthened its liberal arts focus, and developed a nationally recognized residential campus while maintaining its historic Presbyterian affiliation.
Rhodes College has a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which means small class sizes and close interaction with professors. Students often benefit from more personalized attention, accessible faculty mentorship, and greater opportunities for discussion and research collaboration.
Applying to Rhodes College involves a holistic admissions process that considers academic performance, course rigor, extracurricular involvement, recommendations, and personal essays. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, Rhodes College seeks students who are academically motivated and interested in community engagement and the liberal arts. Prospective students can apply through the Common Application and may choose between different admission plans, including early decision options.
Rhodes College offers a range of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit scholarships, and federal and state assistance programs. The college is committed to helping students understand the cost of attendance and navigate aid opportunities. By submitting the required financial aid forms, applicants to Rhodes College can be considered for institutional scholarships and other funding resources.
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