Southern Adventist University
Southern Adventist University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southern Adventist University at a Glance
Southern Adventist University is a private Seventh-day Adventist university in Collegedale, Tennessee. It is owned and operated by the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It was founded in 1892 in Graysville, Tennessee, as Graysville Academy and was the first Adventist school in the southern U.S. Due to the need for additional space for expansion the school relocated in 1916 and was renamed Southern Junior College. In 1944, Southern began awarding baccalaureate degrees and was r…
1892
134 years old
$67M
$66.7 million (2025)
3,360
3,008 undergrad · 352 grad
254
1,000 acres
Identity
Is Southern Adventist University Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Southern Adventist University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,723 — 0% above average — while paying $24,345/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Southern Adventist University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Southern Adventist University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TN
Ranked #63 of 94 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #3 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #4 | Lewis University | 63 | $17,028 | $66,099 |
| #5 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #6 | University of Mary | 58 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| #63 | Southern Adventist University | 28 | $24,345 | $53,723 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Southern Adventist University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in TN.
Best Programs at Southern Adventist University
The highest-earning program at Southern Adventist University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $53,100/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Southern Adventist University earns $53,100, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $53,100. 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 $25,500 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,345/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 | $53,100 | $53,100 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Collegedale, TN
- Student Body
- 2,773 students
- Admission Rate
- 66%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,345
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,723
- Median Student Debt
- $24,500