Union University
Jackson, Tennessee · Private Nonprofit · 60.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Union University earns an overall ROI score of 52/100, placing it in the below average value band on CampusROI's framework. Tuition runs $40,025 with an average net price of $27,171 after aid. Median earnings six years after entry land at $40,900, climbing to roughly $53,990 by year ten, producing a payback period of about 13.1 years. Median federal debt of $20,714 works out to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, which is tight. Completion runs 66.0%, a real strength relative to peers. The component scores break down as earnings premium 34/100, completion 70/100, payback 43/100, debt-to-earnings 72/100, repayment 62/100. The lowest sub-score is earnings premium over a high-school baseline at 34/100, which is the main weight pulling the overall number down; the strongest sub-score is debt-to-earnings ratio at 72/100. Data points here come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (2024-2025 vintage), and Scorecard earnings carry a 6-10 year reporting lag, so the figures describe recent graduating cohorts rather than this year's incoming class.
Union University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $40,025/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $40,025/yr |
| Average net price | $27,171/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $108,684 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,990 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,714 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $220 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 66.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,607 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Union University is $40,025/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $27,171/year, or roughly $108,684 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $25,839/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,373/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,714 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $220 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $53,990 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.51 - 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 | $25,839 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,181 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,891 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,841 |
| $110,001+ | $30,373 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $25,839 per year here. With expected earnings around $53,990 a decade out, that's a difficult number — Pell, state grants, and any institutional aid are doing real work to make it accessible, but families should still model debt carefully across four years.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) face a net price of about $23,891 per year. These households typically get less Pell support and partial institutional aid, so the tuition bill is more directly felt. Whether the math works depends on the major: programs with stronger early earnings can absorb this cost; lower-paying majors will produce a longer payback period. Note: the income-bracket data shows inversions where the 30-48k bracket pays more than the 48-75k bracket — that's unusual and likely reflects small-sample noise or aid policy quirks; treat the brackets as approximate.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families in the $110,000+ bracket pay an average of $30,373 per year. At this price point the calculation is whether the school's earnings outcomes and completion rate justify paying near sticker — high-income families could likely access more selective options or in-state flagships at similar or lower out-of-pocket cost, so the value case has to be made on fit, program, or geography.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Union University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $72,824 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,234 | C |
| Social Work | $46,286 | F |
| Psychology | $44,056 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $41,226 | - |
| Marketing | $57,184 | 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 (CIP 5138) graduates 115 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $68,399 and four-year earnings of $72,824. Median program debt is $29,127 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of B. Nursing graduates typically enter clinical settings with strong wage floors and transferable licensure, which is why these programs hold up even at high cost.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration, Management, and Operations (CIP 5202) graduates 36 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $58,201 and four-year earnings of $63,234. Median program debt is $33,333 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C. Business and management is the workhorse major here; outcomes track closely with the student's region and willingness to relocate for opportunity.
Social Work
Social Work (CIP 4407) graduates 25 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $38,056 and four-year earnings of $46,286. Median program debt is $39,415 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.04, which is heavy. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of F.
Psychology
Psychology (CIP 4201) graduates 17 students per year. Reported median four-year earnings of $44,056. Median program debt is $26,506 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C. Psychology bachelor's-level outcomes are weak unless paired with graduate study; the debt-to-earnings ratio here reflects that reality.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP 2401) graduates 14 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $41,320 and four-year earnings of $41,226.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 73.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 70.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 75.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 60.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-680 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-710 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-30 |
| Enrollment | 1,607 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,181 |
The school admits roughly 60.4% of applicants, putting it in the moderately selective category (SAT Math 25th-75th of 560-680; SAT Reading 25th-75th of 600-710; ACT Composite 25th-75th of 22-30). For prepared students with solid high school records the admit decision is unlikely to be the binding constraint here. Selectivity correlates loosely with completion in Scorecard data, and at 66.0% this campus's completion rate is stronger than typical for the selectivity tier.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Listed peer institutions include American Baptist College (ROI 32, Poor Value, 28.5yr payback); Baptist Health Sciences University (ROI 69, Fair Value, 4.9yr payback); Marywood University (ROI 51, Below Average Value, 11.2yr payback); Southern Nazarene University (ROI 55, Below Average Value, 11.4yr payback); St. Francis College (ROI 57, Below Average Value, 9.2yr payback). Union University sits at ROI 52 with 13.1yr payback, so families weighing options should compare these schools side by side on tuition net of aid, completion rate, and program-level earnings rather than relying on rankings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union University (this school) | 52 | $27,171 | $53,990 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | 54 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
| Eastern Mennonite University | 53 | $24,588 | $54,869 |
| San Diego Christian College | 51 | $992 | $49,766 |
| Messiah University | 51 | $26,502 | $54,064 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | 51 | $16,813 | $49,378 |
Who Thrives Here
This is a South institution with a mid-size enrollment of 1,607 and a Pell Grant rate of 24.5%, below the national average. Strong fit profile is a focused, locally-rooted student who has a clear major in mind and needs the in-state pricing and small-campus scale to make the math work. Completion is solid enough that a motivated student has a reasonable shot at finishing on time. Median earnings ten years out of $53,990 should be the honest yardstick for whether the price the family will actually pay (see the income-bracket breakdown below) leads to a workable post-graduation budget.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Union University is mixed. At $27,171 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $53,990 ten years after entry - a payback period of 13.1 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.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,714 against $53,990 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.