Le Moyne-Owen College
Le Moyne-Owen College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Le Moyne-Owen College at a Glance
LeMoyne–Owen College is a private historically black college affiliated with the United Church of Christ and located in Memphis, Tennessee. It resulted from the 1968 merger of historically black colleges and other schools established by northern Protestant missions during and after the American Civil War.
1968
58 years old
$52M
$52 million (2020)
646
Identity
Is Le Moyne-Owen College Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Le Moyne-Owen College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $35,594 — 34% below average — while paying $7,099/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 26% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $28,070 representing 79% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Le Moyne-Owen College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Le Moyne-Owen College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #11 of 51 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #5 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #6 | Grace Christian University | 39 | $12,404 | $41,663 |
| #11 | Le Moyne-Owen College | 32 | $7,099 | $35,594 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Le Moyne-Owen College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in TN.
Best Programs at Le Moyne-Owen College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Le Moyne-Owen College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,099/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Memphis, TN
- Student Body
- 581 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 26%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,099
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $35,594
- Median Student Debt
- $28,070