Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee · Private Nonprofit · 95.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Belmont University sits in Nashville with 7,137 students, a 95.3% acceptance rate, and an ROI score of 52 (Below Average Value). The core problem: median six-year earnings of $37,100 against a net price of $33,147 yield a 13-year payback period. That is a poor return for a private nonprofit with a $42,540 sticker price. The school's largest program is Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management at 410 graduates per year -- and those graduates earn $30,666 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.742, a D grade. Music (97 graduates) earns $24,016 starting with an F-grade ratio of 1.082. Audiovisual Communications (94 graduates) also earns an F. Nashville's music industry identity has shaped what Belmont's students want to study, but the data shows those programs underperform financially at the baccalaureate level. The school's best financial outcomes come from Registered Nursing (205 graduates, $67,072 starting, B grade) and from Finance and Accounting, which show strong 4-year earnings. Students who attend for health or business tracks get a different school than what the Nashville music brand projects.
Belmont University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $42,540/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $42,540/yr |
| Average net price | $33,147/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $132,588 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,930 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 13 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,137 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Belmont University is $42,540/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $33,147/year, or roughly $132,588 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $22,950/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $43,606/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,930 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,950 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,723 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,009 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,153 |
| $110,001+ | $43,606 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $22,950 per year at Belmont. For a school with a 13-year payback period and a 70.7% completion rate, this is a significant financial risk for low-income families. If a student does not complete, the cost exposure is severe. Low-income students should carefully compare Belmont nursing against Tennessee public alternatives before committing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket pays $24,723 and the 48,001-75,000 bracket rises to $28,009. Cost climbs moderately through the middle-income range. The 75,001-110,000 bracket reaches $32,153. The slope is gradual but the absolute cost is high relative to the 13-year payback period for the average Belmont graduate. Middle-income families choosing Belmont should be targeting nursing or finance programs specifically.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $43,606 -- near-sticker price. At full freight, the 13-year payback period and $37,100 median 6-year earnings represent a poor financial investment for arts and entertainment tracks. High-income families considering Belmont for their children's music or media aspirations should model the actual career outcome distribution before committing to full-price private tuition.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Belmont University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $53,893 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $79,069 | B |
| Music | $36,866 | F |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $44,222 | F |
| Psychology | $52,172 | B |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $57,644 | C |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $42,033 | C |
| Biology | $63,792 | - |
| Design and Applied Arts | $58,314 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $40,606 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Belmont's strongest financial outcome by volume, graduating 205 students per year. Starting pay of $67,072 rises to $79,069 at four years with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.382 (B grade). Nursing is the primary track at Belmont where the investment pays off. Nashville's large healthcare sector -- anchored by HCA Healthcare headquarters and dozens of major hospital systems -- provides a strong local placement market. Nurses who graduate into the Nashville metro area face excellent employment conditions. Median debt of $25,625 is manageable against nursing starting salaries. This program makes financial sense in a way that most of Belmont's arts programs do not.
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
This is Belmont's signature program and its largest by far at 410 graduates per year. Starting pay of $30,666 and four-year earnings of $53,893 yield a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.742 (D grade). Debt median of $22,750 means students spend substantially more than they earn in the early post-graduation years. Nashville's music industry does provide some placement advantage, but the industry is highly competitive, and the number of graduates chasing limited industry positions creates a crowded market. Students should enter this program understanding they are more likely to work in marketing, events, or adjacent roles than in core music business positions.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration at Belmont enrolls modest volume. Starting pay of $39,325 and four-year earnings of $62,666 with a C-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.610. The four-year earnings trajectory is decent but not standout. Business students at Belmont are paying a private-school premium for outcomes that don't clearly outperform cheaper in-state public options. Nashville's business environment -- particularly in healthcare finance, real estate, and tech -- provides genuine placement upside for students who build strong networks while enrolled. Debt median of $24,000 is on the higher end relative to the earnings ramp.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 81.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 95.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-30 |
| Enrollment | 7,137 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,550 |
Belmont accepts 95.3% of applicants -- essentially open enrollment for students who meet basic standards. SAT Math 560-660, SAT Reading 600-690, ACT 24-30. Despite the broad acceptance, the school carries a 70.7% completion rate, which means roughly 1 in 3 students who enroll do not finish a degree. The selectivity signal here is minimal; program choice matters far more than admissions statistics.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Belmont's listed peers -- American Baptist College, Baptist Health Sciences, Wilmington University, Indiana Wesleyan National, and Park University -- are weaker schools by enrollment and earnings. Belmont outperforms all of them on earnings and completion rate. That is a low bar. The more relevant comparison is against Tennessee public universities: Middle Tennessee State and Belmont overlap significantly in geography and program mix, but MTSU charges roughly a third of Belmont's net price for comparable or better outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University (this school) | 52 | $33,147 | $55,930 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | 69 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | 61 | $16,898 | $59,986 |
| Wilmington University | 51 | $15,644 | $53,844 |
| Park University | 50 | $21,032 | $56,309 |
| American Baptist College | 32 | $9,216 | $41,216 |
Who Thrives Here
Students drawn to Nashville's music and entertainment industry, or to Belmont's nursing and business programs. Admitted students score SAT Math 560-660, Reading 600-690, ACT 24-30. The near-open admissions rate means academic preparation varies widely. Pell rate of 20.8% is low for a school with a 13-year payback period -- the student body is not primarily low-income, yet outcomes are weak. Students who choose nursing or business programs with clear career plans tend to do better; those who enroll for creative programs face a tough financial road.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Belmont University is mixed. At $33,147 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $55,930 ten years after entry - a payback period of 13 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 70.7% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,500 against $55,930 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.