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Christian Brothers University

CBU

Memphis, Tennessee 38104

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrbanGreek life

Known for business — close-knit campus

Christian Brothers University is a private institution in Memphis with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1069, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 953 undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

56% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $57,478 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $10,896.

Established
1871
Motto
Virtus et Scientia
Mascot
The Buccaneer
Type
Private university
Conference
Gulf South Conference
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

88%Acceptance
1069SAT Avg
953Students
9:1Student:Faculty
56%Grad Rate
$57,478Earnings 10yr
$10,896Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate88.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1069

Reading & WritingMid: 565
540640
MathMid: 590
500660

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1823

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$37,300
Room & Board$10,731
Books & Supplies$1,393
Total Cost of Attendance$45,919
Average Net Price$10,896
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,886
$30–48K$13,157
$48–75K$12,547
$75–110K$11,622
$110K+$9,103

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

69.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,589

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (83)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
953
Gender Split
55% / 45%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
31%

Race & Ethnicity

White 26%
Black 22%
Hispanic 19%
Asian 2%
Two+ 9%
Int'l 8%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate56.0%
Freshman Retention72.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,592
10 Years$57,478

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Soccer championshipBasketball championshipSoccer

History & Fun Facts

  • History Saint John Baptist de la Salle Founded on November 19, 1871, it was established by members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Catholic religious order founded by St.
  • At foundation the educational institution was named Christian Brothers College, which was changed to Christian Brothers University when the school became a university in June 1990.
  • Christian Brothers awarded the first post-secondary degree in the city in 1875.
  • LeMoyne College (one of the two constituent parts of present-day LeMoyne-Owen College) has a founding year of 1871, but it was an elementary and secondary school at the time.
  • The city's largest university, the University of Memphis, was not founded until 1912.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

103Above Average

Estimated from TN state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Nashvillepop. 690K
193 mi(335 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
242 mi(419 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
333 mi(577 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MEM Memphis6 mi
BNA Nashville198 mi
BHM Birmingham214 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1132 mi · ~32h 42m drive
New York, NY951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
Hartford, CT1040 mi · ~30h 3m drive
Providence, RI1103 mi · ~31h 52m drive
Albany, NY1013 mi · ~29h 16m drive
Syracuse, NY920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Rochester, NY863 mi · ~24h 56m drive
Buffalo, NY801 mi · ~23h 8m drive
Philadelphia, PA876 mi · ~25h 18m drive
Pittsburgh, PA657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Harrisburg, PA798 mi · ~23h 3m drive
Newark, NJ943 mi · ~27h 15m drive
Washington, DC760 mi · ~21h 57m drive
Baltimore, MD789 mi · ~22h 48m drive
Atlanta, GA333 mi · ~9h 37m drive
Charlotte, NC516 mi · ~14h 54m drive
Raleigh, NC640 mi · ~18h 29m drive
Miami, FL870 mi · ~25h 8m drive
Orlando, FL679 mi · ~19h 37m drive
Tampa, FL665 mi · ~19h 13m drive
Nashville, TN193 mi · ~5h 35m drive
New Orleans, LA358 mi · ~10h 21m drive
Richmond, VA717 mi · ~20h 43m drive
Chicago, IL483 mi · ~13h 57m drive
Detroit, MI622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
Minneapolis, MN702 mi · ~20h 17m drive
St. Louis, MO242 mi · ~6h 59m drive
Kansas City, MO373 mi · ~10h 47m drive
Indianapolis, IN383 mi · ~11h 4m drive
Columbus, OH508 mi · ~14h 41m drive
Cleveland, OH629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Milwaukee, WI558 mi · ~16h 7m drive
Dallas, TX423 mi · ~12h 13m drive
Houston, TX486 mi · ~14h 2m drive
Austin, TX562 mi · ~16h 14m drive
San Antonio, TX634 mi · ~18h 19m drive
Los Angeles, CA1604 mi · ~46h 20m drive
San Francisco, CA1803 mi · ~52h 5m drive
San Diego, CA1562 mi · ~45h 7m drive
Seattle, WA1867 mi · ~53h 56m drive
Portland, OR1850 mi · ~53h 27m drive
Denver, CO881 mi · ~25h 27m drive
Phoenix, AZ1264 mi · ~36h 31m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1252 mi · ~36h 10m drive
Honolulu, HI4164 mi · ~120h 18m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Christian Brothers University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications