Belmont University
Belmont University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Belmont University at a Glance
Belmont University is a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Descended from Belmont Women's College, founded in 1890 by schoolteachers Ida Hood and Susan Heron, the institution was incorporated in 1951 as Belmont College. It became Belmont University in 1991. As of 2025, Belmont reports its enrollment as "nearly 9,000 students from every state and more than 30 countries." The university cut official ties with the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 2007, but still cal…
1890
136 years old
$357M
$356.8 million (2022)
8,910
7,384 undergrad · 1,526 grad
534
75 acres
Identity
Is Belmont University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Belmont University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,930 — 4% above average — while paying $33,147/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.4-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 71% graduation rate means roughly 29% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Belmont University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Belmont University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 23 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Maryville University of Saint Louis | 48 | $22,066 | $62,105 |
| #2 | Robert Morris University | 44 | $23,003 | $62,105 |
| #3 | Ensign College | 44 | $10,824 | $50,630 |
| #4 | Mercy University | 43 | $14,072 | $52,055 |
| #5 | University of the Cumberlands | 39 | $14,107 | $45,036 |
| #6 | Monmouth University | 39 | $30,988 | $67,991 |
| #13 | Belmont University | 30 | $33,147 | $55,930 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Belmont University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Belmont University
The highest-earning program at Belmont University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $55,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Belmont University earns $55,100, while a Music graduate earns $19,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $18,750 in median debt vs. $20,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $33,147/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,100 | $55,100 | $18,750 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $49,300 | $49,300 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,400 | $43,400 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $34,900 | $34,900 | $24,625 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $34,800 | $34,800 | $20,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $31,300 | $31,300 | $19,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $29,400 | $29,400 | $21,500 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $28,900 | $28,900 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,000 | $26,000 | $21,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $24,100 | $24,100 | N/A |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $22,000 | $22,000 | $22,353 |
| Music | $19,700 | $19,700 | $20,000 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Nashville, TN
- Student Body
- 7,137 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $33,147
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,930
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500