The University of Tennessee Southern
Pulaski, Tennessee · Public · 86.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 16/100 · Poor Value
The University of Tennessee Southern scores 16 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale, a score reflecting three severe structural problems: a 36.9% completion rate, a 48.7-year payback period, and a 62.1% repayment rate. The payback period of 48.7 years means that, on average, the cost of attendance exceeds what graduates can reasonably recover in a working lifetime from this credential. The $28,200 median 6-year earnings are among the lowest for any public institution in the Scorecard dataset. Net price averages $12,798 -- low in absolute terms, but not low enough to offset the earnings shortfall. Median debt of $21,500 against $28,200 median earnings creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.762. The Nursing program (10 graduates, B grade, $67,349 year-one) is a bright spot that does not represent the typical student experience. Business Administration (36 graduates, C grade) and Kinesiology (D grade) are the other tracked programs. The school enrolls 864 students in Pulaski, Tennessee.
The data raises concerns about The University of Tennessee Southern
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score16/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate36.9% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period48.7 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
The University of Tennessee Southern
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,924/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $10,924/yr |
| Average net price | $12,798/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $51,192 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,924 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $28,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | 48.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 36.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 864 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at The University of Tennessee Southern is $10,924/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,798/year, or roughly $51,192 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,335/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $17,135/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $228 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $38,924 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.76 - 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 | $9,335 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,071 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,343 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,336 |
| $110,001+ | $17,135 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $9,335 per year at UT Southern -- among the lower cost figures for any Tennessee public university. However, at $28,200 median 6-year earnings and a 36.9% completion rate, the financial risk is severe. Students who complete and earn the credential in a field like nursing have reasonable outcomes; the 63% who do not complete leave with debt and no credential.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $15,343 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $17,336. The 48.7-year payback period means that at virtually any income level, the cost-to-earnings relationship does not make financial sense for the median outcome. Middle-income families have the resources to consider regional alternatives with stronger completion rates and earnings outcomes.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $17,135 -- nearly the same as the 75001-110000 bracket, an unusual compression in the top of the aid schedule. For families with alternatives, the combination of 36.9% completion, $28,200 median 6-year earnings, and a 48.7-year payback makes enrollment difficult to justify from a financial perspective regardless of cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at The University of Tennessee Southern with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $59,648 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $45,980 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $39,192 | D |
| Psychology | $38,072 | 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 (10 graduates) earns a B grade: $67,349 year-one with $25,683 in median debt and a ratio of 0.381. The year-four figure of $45,980 is lower than year-one, which is unusual and may reflect a small cohort with variable outcomes. Nursing is by far the best-performing program at UT Southern, and the year-one figure is consistent with Tennessee nursing market wages. The cohort of 10 graduates is very small, limiting the reliability of these estimates.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (36 graduates) earns a C grade: $36,954 year-one and $59,648 year-four with $24,625 median debt and a ratio of 0.666. The year-one figure is modest for a business degree in any market. The four-year jump to $60k is plausible for graduates who secure management roles over time, but the near-term financial constraint from $25k in debt on a $37k salary is real.
Psychology
Psychology earns a C grade: $30,958 year-one and $38,072 year-four with $19,800 median debt and a ratio of 0.64. Scorecard does not report the graduate count for this cohort. The year-four earnings of $38k represent modest growth from a $31k starting point. Psychology graduates in rural Tennessee face limited specialized employment; the Scorecard data captures those who entered the workforce directly rather than pursuing graduate training.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology and Exercise Science (8 graduates) earns a D grade: $28,069 year-one and $39,192 year-four with $23,125 median debt and a ratio of 0.824. The near-term earnings are weak against the debt load; the four-year figure of $39k reflects modest career progression. Kinesiology graduates typically pursue physical therapy, athletic training, or fitness management roles -- fields with compressed regional wages in rural Tennessee.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 58.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 62.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 46.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 49.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 470-555 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 435-555 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-24 |
| Enrollment | 864 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,695 |
At 86.7% admission, the school is largely open access. SAT and ACT ranges (ACT 18-24) indicate a broad academic range. The very low completion rate suggests that either academic preparation gaps, financial constraints, or institutional support factors result in most enrolled students not finishing. Prospective students should ask specifically about persistence and completion rates within their intended program before enrolling.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scorecard peers include Austin Peay State University and East Tennessee State University -- Tennessee regional public universities with similar cost structures. UT Southern's 16 ROI score is at the low end of any comparison group. Austin Peay and ETSU both show substantially higher completion rates (50-60% range) and better earnings outcomes, making UT Southern an outlier even within this peer set. The school is a small, recently established four-year institution, and its outcomes data reflects significant structural challenges in serving its student population.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee Southern (this school) | 16 | $12,798 | $38,924 |
| Austin Peay State University | 36 | $9,735 | $44,301 |
| East Tennessee State University | 35 | $15,983 | $44,859 |
| Salish Kootenai College | 18 | $7,945 | $32,725 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | 5 | $9,922 | $31,088 |
Who Thrives Here
The University of Tennessee Southern admits 86.7% of applicants and enrolls 864 students. SAT mid-ranges are 470-555 Math and 435-555 Reading; ACT composite 18-24. Pell grant rate of 36.3% reflects a significant low-to-middle income enrollment. The school serves a rural Tennessee regional population with limited access to other four-year options. The 36.9% completion rate is the dominant risk factor: nearly two-thirds of students who enroll do not graduate. Students who complete nursing have markedly better outcomes than the institutional average, but the aggregate data reflects the majority who leave without credentials.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about The University of Tennessee Southern. With a net cost of $12,798 per year and median graduate earnings of only $38,924 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 48.7 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 36.9% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,500 against $38,924 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.