Rhodes College is a private, four-year, perennial top-tier liberal arts college located in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1848 in Clarksville as the Masonic University of Tennessee, the institution became the Montgomery Masonic College in 1850 and was later renamed Stewart College in honor of its president, William Stewart, in 1855. It was at this time that control of the college was passed on from the Masons to the Presbyterian Church. In 1984, the school was renamed Rhodes College in honor of its former president, Peyton Nalle Rhodes. From this period onwards, the college grew from a regionally recognized institution to a nationally renowned liberal arts college with enrollment increasing steadily.
Today, there are approximately 1,685 students enrolled in Rhodes College from 46 U.S. states and 15 countries outside of the U.S. These students are guided in their quest for higher education by fulltime faculty members, 97.5% of whom hold the highest degree possible in their chosen field. With a low student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1 and the average class size no more than 13, students of Rhodes College enjoy focused instruction from their teachers.
For academic year 2009-2010, cost of attendance at Rhodes College is US$42,024 for resident students and US$33,710 for commuter students. These costs are broken down into full-year tuition of US$33,400; regular fees of US$310; and, for resident students, room and board at US$8,314. Commuter students do not pay for room and board and therefore are charged with a lower cost of attendance. Estimated cost for books and supplies is US$1,020. Financial aid is extended to students to help them pay for their cost of tuition.