ʿ Rhodes

Rhodes campus, Barret Library and Southwestern Hall

Rhodes is a national four-year, private, coeducational, residential college committed to the liberal arts and sciences. Our highest priorities are intellectual engagement, service to others, and honor among ourselves. We enjoy one of the country’s most beautiful campuses in the heart of Memphis, an economic, political, and cultural center, making Rhodes one of a handful of prominent liberal arts colleges located in a major metropolitan area.

The Rhodes experience combines the best of the classroom and the real world—through internships, service, research, and other opportunities in Memphis and far beyond. Students learn, play, and serve others with a determination to grow personally and to improve the quality of life within their communities.

Some of Rhodes' accolades and rankings include:

  • Recognized by Wall Street Journal as among the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.
  • The Princeton Review for value, internships, community service, and campus beauty
  • U.S. News & World Report's list of 2025 Best Colleges
  • Money magazine's list of Best Colleges
  • Named a Top Music Business School by Billboard magazine
  • Recognized by Niche as the #1 Liberal Arts College in Tennessee for 2025 and a Best College nationally for 2025
  • Featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges for strong programs in economics, English, international studies, history, chemistry, business, biology, and psychology
  • Identified by Stacker as a best college in a big city
  • Listed by Forbes magazine as a 2024-2025 Top College in the country
  • Designated by the Fulbright Program as a top producer of U.S. scholars and students studying and working abroad
  • Awarded Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement for being an institution with extraordinary commitments to our public purpose

Rhodes is also one of 50 colleges included in both editions of The Princeton Review’s list of “Colleges That Create Futures” and continues to be included in each new edition of Colleges That Pay You Back: The 200 Schools That Give You the Best Bang for Your Buck. Rhodes is also profiled in the prestigious book Colleges That Change Lives.

Rhodes by the Numbers

  • 9:1 student–to–faculty ratio
  • Average class size 15
  • 183 full-time faculty
  • 99% hold the highest degree possible in their fields
  • More than 70 majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs
  • 12-plus academic fields with Pre-Professional Advising

Student Body

  • Approximately 1800 students represent 45 states (plus D.C.) and 58 countries.
  • Multicultural, international student, or students of color make up 38% of the student body.
  • More than 80% participate in service
  • 70% complete at least one internship
  • 65% study abroad or at off-campus sites in the U.S
  • 95% of first-year students live on campus
  • ʿ 40% belong to social fraternities/sororities
  • 130+ student clubs, organizations, intramural and club sports
  • 23 men’s and women’s NCAA Division III intercollegiate teams

Class of 2029

  • 44% ranked in top 10% of high school class
  • 86% had a grade point average of 3.50 or greater
  • 98% receive some form of financial aid
  • Multicultural, international students, and students of color make up 47% of class
  • Represent 40 states and 25 countries
  • 80% received need-based financial aid
  • 34% student-athletes

ʿ is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master's degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ʿ.

ʿ is an accredited institutional member of NASM. National Association of Schools of Music, 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248, or call 703-437-0700.