The University of Tennessee Southern
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$42,024
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$1,151/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
36.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-45%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Tennessee Southern has a low graduation rate of 32.9% and a retention rate of 64.3%. The acceptance rate is high, at 82.7%, with a student body of 827. The in-state tuition is $10,506. One year after graduation, alumni earn $34,798, increasing to $36,151 after five years, and $38,924 after ten years.
The median debt for graduates is $21,500. With an average annual salary of $34,798 one year after graduation, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 62%. Considering the tuition cost and the one-year earnings, the break-even point for the investment in education is approximately 0.6 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,506
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$36,151
Graduation Rate
33%
Receive Financial Aid
33%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Behavioral Sciences. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $42,024 | $55,793 | 890% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
| History. | $42,024 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
-45%
20yr ROI
-0%
20yr ROI
-26%
20yr ROI
-42%
20yr ROI
-26%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.