South College
South College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is South College Worth It?
At a value score of 21/100, South College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $36,642 — 32% below average — while paying $17,858/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 40% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $18,668 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at South College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How South College compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 13 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 | Monroe University | 40 | $14,522 | $41,236 |
| #2 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | 29 | $17,962 | $39,080 |
| #3 | South College | 21 | $17,858 | $36,642 |
| #4 | ECPI University | 20 | $22,965 | $42,837 |
| #5 | Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 19 | $23,958 | $31,102 |
| #6 | The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | 14 | $27,830 | $33,070 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of South College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in TN.
Best Programs at South College
The highest-earning program at South College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $49,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $25,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from South College earns $49,000, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $25,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,858/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 | $49,000 | $49,000 | $39,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $25,700 | $25,700 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Knoxville, TN
- Student Body
- 8,745 students
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,858
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $36,642
- Median Student Debt
- $18,668