Le Moyne-Owen College
Memphis, Tennessee · Private Nonprofit · 99.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 11/100 · Poor Value
Le Moyne-Owen College earns an 11 ROI score and a Poor Value tier rating -- among the lowest scores in our universe. Sticker tuition is a relatively modest $12,076 with an aggressively discounted net price of just $7,099, and four-year cost lands at a remarkably low $28,396 -- one of the most affordable in our universe. But despite the affordability, the earnings outcomes are deeply concerning: median earnings six years out are just $23,800, climbing to $35,594 by year ten -- producing a near-zero 2.1 percent earnings premium and a 283-year payback period flag. Median debt of $28,070 against $23,800 earnings produces a 1.179 debt-to-earnings ratio -- the typical graduate owes more than they make annually. The 27 percent six-year completion rate is among the worst in our universe; fewer than three in ten students graduate. Repayment data is partially missing but the 5-year repayment rate of 19.5 percent suggests severe borrower struggles. Le Moyne-Owen is a Historically Black college serving primarily low-income Memphis-area students, with a critical mission but troubling current outcomes.
The data raises concerns about Le Moyne-Owen College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score11/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Debt-to-earnings1.18 - Advisors recommend total student debt stay below one year of salary (ratio under 1.0).
- 6-year graduation rate27.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Le Moyne-Owen College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,076/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $12,076/yr |
| Average net price | $7,099/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $28,396 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,594 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $23,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $28,070 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $298 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 27.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 581 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Le Moyne-Owen College is $12,076/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $7,099/year, or roughly $28,396 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $6,393/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with $28,070 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $298 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $35,594 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.18 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,393 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,213 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,411 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,112 |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Lowest-income families pay $6,393 net annually -- excellent affordability, helped by Pell stacking and Tennessee state aid. Roughly $26,000 over four years for Pell-eligible students is genuinely manageable in absolute dollars. The fundamental problem isn't cost; it's the school's chronically weak completion and earnings outcomes. Maximum federal and state aid plus careful program selection are essential.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income brackets pay $7,213 ($30K-$48K), $7,411 ($48K-$75K), and $8,112 ($75K-$110K) -- all remarkably low. Le Moyne-Owen is among the most affordable four-year colleges in the country at every income tier. Annual costs are not the constraint; the question is whether the credential delivers career outcomes that justify even this modest investment.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income data ($110,001-plus) is not reported in the Scorecard data. The school clearly serves a heavily low-and-middle-income student body. With median 10-year earnings of $35,594 and a 283-year payback flag, the financial recommendation for any income tier is exceptionally cautious unless the student has an explicit career path planned.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | N/A | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | N/A | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 19.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 26.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 99.2% |
| Enrollment | 581 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 67.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,132 |
Le Moyne-Owen admits 99.2 percent of applicants -- effectively complete open enrollment. SAT and ACT data are not reported. The 27 percent completion rate is the dominant operational data point, signaling severe structural retention challenges. Most enrollees do not graduate, which prospective students need to understand clearly before committing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Le Moyne-Owen's nearest peers include American Baptist College and Philander Smith University -- two fellow small HBCUs -- alongside Baptist Health Sciences University, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, and St. Andrews University. Within this peer set, Le Moyne-Owen's 11 ROI score is among the very lowest. Students considering an HBCU experience should look at significantly stronger options like Howard, Morehouse, Spelman, Tennessee State, or Florida A&M.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Moyne-Owen College (this school) | 11 | $7,099 | $35,594 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
| Paul Quinn College | 11 | $12,709 | $29,288 |
| Alabama A & M University | 10 | $17,621 | $40,628 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 10 | $12,653 | $35,550 |
| Lincoln University | 10 | $19,092 | $39,463 |
Who Thrives Here
Le Moyne-Owen fits Memphis-area African-American students with a deep cultural connection to the school's HBCU heritage and the Memphis civil-rights legacy. Enrollment is tiny at 581 undergraduates and Pell rate runs an exceptional 67.3 percent -- one of the highest in our universe, indicating a heavily Pell-eligible, lower-income student body. Programs data is empty in current Scorecard reporting, limiting program-level analysis. Students should walk in with a clear academic and financial plan and a backup strategy, since most enrollees historically do not finish their degree.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Le Moyne-Owen College. With a net cost of $7,099 per year and median graduate earnings of only $35,594 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 27.0% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $28,070 against $35,594 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.