Union University

Private · Moderately Selective · TN

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationTN · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads1,607

Student:faculty9:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate60.1%

6-yr grad rate66%

Drop-out rate11%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$40k

Out-of-state tuition$40k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity34.7%

Gender diversity62.5%

International1.9%

IdentitySouthern Baptist

Overview

Union University, in Jackson, Tennessee between Memphis and Nashville, is a private Baptist university with roots reaching back to 1823 and a close ongoing relationship with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Its academic programs are taught from an explicitly Christ-centered perspective that extends across the curriculum rather than being confined to a religion department.

Academics

Nursing and pharmacy are Union's strongest professional programs, both well regarded regionally, alongside education. Chapel and spiritual formation are built into the weekly rhythm of the university, not an optional extracurricular, and faculty are expected to integrate a faith perspective into their teaching across disciplines.

Campus & student life

Union rebuilt much of its campus after a severe 2008 tornado destroyed several buildings, and the recovery — during which no students were killed despite direct hits on dormitories — became part of the university's institutional identity and is still referenced in campus culture. Student life is close-knit and strongly shaped by the school's Baptist identity.

Worth knowing

Union is closely tied to the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the broader Southern Baptist network, which matters for students planning careers in Baptist ministry or church leadership specifically, since it shapes alumni connections and job placement in that world.

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Admissions

Acceptance rate60.4%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1160–1390 · ACT 22–30

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Applying