the traditional sense. Instead, the university has co-educational social clubs. These are local only to Freed–Hardeman and have no connection to any national Greek system. Students participate in intramural sports, club meetings and devotionals with their respective clubs.
== Rankings ==
U.S. News & World Report included the university in its affordability ranking ("Great Schools, Great Prices"), listing it 13th among Southern master's degree-granting universities. The university reported a 44% acceptance rate of applicants for the fall 2012 semester.
The university is ranked among the "Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth" by Campus Pride.
== Athletics ==
The Freed–Hardeman sports teams are called the "Lions" and "Lady Lions". The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) since the 2020–21 academic year. The Lions and Lady Lions previously competed in the American Midwest Conference from 2013–14 to 2019–20, …
