Lipscomb University

As a Christ-centered, liberal arts university building upon a 135-year heritage of academic excellence, Lipscomb University offers an engaging, intellectually challenging environment for graduate education and a commitment to encourage and support spiritual formation in every member of the university community. Lipscomb’s 113-acre campus, located in the heart of the thriving city of Nashville, Tennessee, provides a beautiful setting which supports a nurturing environment where students can develop professionally and personally.

Lipscomb is one of the few institutions in the nation offering educational pathways from age two through the doctoral level.  Students can begin their journey at Lipscomb Academy’s SEED School and continue through a full spectrum of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs - making Lipscomb a unique two-year-old to Ph.D. institution.  With an enrollment of more than 4,900 university students and over 1,400 at Lipscomb Academy, the institution is deeply embedded in the Middle Tennessee community, committed to shaping lives of character, leadership and service.

The mission of Lipscomb University is to provide rigorous academic programs paired with life-transforming experiences to prepare students for lives of purpose, preparing graduates for success in their chosen professions and careers.  Lipscomb equips its students to succeed in their vocation and contribute to the common good by living out their faith in action.  This is accomplished through a mentoring program for our students and with numerous mission and service opportunities, and through the Center for Vocational Discovery (CVD).  The CVD helps students discover their why, trains them in their how and sends them into the world with their what upon graduation.  Students leave Lipscomb having explored their career aspirations within God’s purpose for their life. 

Students have opportunities for innovative and creative approaches to learning. Lipscomb’s George Shinn Center offers state-of-the-art learning experiences for animation majors.  The Fields Engineering Center is bringing new opportunities to engineering education on campus. The Nursing and Health Sciences Center provides education for the next generation of nurses through use of the most current technology and most contemporary best practices available in health care education. In addition, the McFarland Science Center provides the most up-to-date laboratory facilities for undergraduate education and research in biology and chemistry. Lipscomb’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Building enhances opportunities to faculty for significant scholarly research. Lipscomb has received grants for both research and student support activities from a variety of organizations including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Higher Education Commission and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Over the last few years the university’s reputation as a top-tier, nationally recognized institution has continued to grow.  In fall 2025, the university celebrated its largest total enrollment in school history with continued growth in freshman and graduate enrollment along with record retention rates.  In addition, the university is ranked the #13 Christian university in the nation by Niche.com, a Forbes Best College, received a four-star rating in Money magazine’s 2025 Best Colleges list, is a U.S. News & World Report Best National University, is ranked a Best Value Colleges in America by Niche and a Best Southern College by The Princeton Review.  In addition, Lipscomb’s business, animation and education programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation and in the state.  Lipscomb has produced 19 Fulbright student scholars.  Over the last year the university announced the launch of several new academic programs and partnerships developed to meet workforce demand in areas such as communication sciences and disorders, an online Doctorate of Pharmacy, anesthesiology assistant studies, early childhood education and teacher licensure as well as a nursing leadership credential program and a rural nursing initiative.  Lipscomb is also one of the first independent institutions in the nation to offer campus-wide AI integration and access to robust, cutting-edge AI tools and training for all university students, faculty and staff.

One of the most compelling indicators of the value of a Lipscomb education is the ability of our graduates to successfully enter the job market or be accepted into institutions for advanced degrees. Lipscomb has a 99% placement rate for our bachelor’s degree graduates with hundreds of internships available while a student.  This was based on the number of bachelor’s degree graduates who are employed or pursuing graduate school within six months of graduation. Lipscomb’s achievement signifies that the excellent education provided by our programs is highly desired by employers and greatly respected by other institutions of higher learning. 

Lipscomb University also offers students opportunities for global engagement through a variety of study abroad programs and mission trips. Lipscomb offers semester-long undergraduate study opportunities in Florence, London, and Vienna, as well as other short-term study abroad experiences.

Beyond the classroom, Lipscomb has an exciting campus life. The Bison athletics program is a vital part of campus life. Competing in the NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, Lipscomb University competes at the highest level in 17 sports and numerous sports have earned conference championships and represented the Bison Herd in national championship post-season competitions. 

Lipscomb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Lipscomb University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Mission

We are a Christ-centered community preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences.

Vision