Many years ago I took some (3) courses at what was then Memphis State University. What I can tell you is that the courses, science and english were solid and challenging. They were failing students left and right in the science courses. The professors I had were first rate. What this says about overall academic standing I don't know but Memphis is a pretty big city and a lot of the students who attend are city and area residents who commute although they have their share of boarders. They have graduate school but not medical because UT is actually in Memphis for that. Their SAT averages are not going to be what UCONN's is but with the economy the way it is they have their share of very smart students who can't spend $50,000 to go to Vandy. Not Harvard but probably close to Cincy and Louisville.