Full Sail University vs Strayer University-Tennessee
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Full Sail University and Strayer University-Tennessee are closely matched on financial return. Full Sail University scores 13/100 while Strayer University-Tennessee scores 11/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Strayer University-Tennessee comes in at $11,645 per year (net price after aid) versus $38,875 at Full Sail University - a difference of $27,230 annually, or roughly $108,920 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Strayer University-Tennessee graduates earn a median of $40,092 compared to $38,219 at Full Sail University. The payback period is 91.8 years at Full Sail University versus 36.6 years at Strayer University-Tennessee.
Graduates leave Full Sail University with a median $27,000 in debt versus $40,621 at Strayer University-Tennessee. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.79 and 1.06 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Full Sail University | Strayer University-Tennes... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $26,906 | $13,920 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $26,906 | $13,920 |
| Net Price (avg) | $38,875 | $11,645 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $155,500 | $46,580 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $38,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $38,219 | $40,092 |
| Graduation Rate | 44.3% | 0.0% |
| Payback Period | 91.8 yr | 36.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $27,000 | $40,621 |
| Monthly Payment | $286 | $431 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.79 | 1.06 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 44.7% | 42.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 32.9% | 30.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Enrollment | 25,777 | 1,784 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Full Sail University | Strayer University-T... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $38,738 | $3,078 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $38,162 | N/A |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $38,181 | N/A |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $40,236 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | $41,762 | $20,213 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Full Sail University | Strayer University-T... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $80,909 | $82,304 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Full Sail University | Strayer University-T... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 9 | 20 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 10 | 15 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 16 | 4 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 28 | 0 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 5 | 4 |
| Overall ROI Score | 13 | 11 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Full Sail University edges out Strayer University-Tennessee by 2 points (13 vs 11), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Full Sail University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Strayer University-Tennessee
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.