The University of Tennessee-Martin
The University of Tennessee-Martin — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Tennessee-Martin at a Glance
The University of Tennessee at Martin is a public university in Martin, Tennessee, United States. It is one of the five campuses of the University of Tennessee system and the only public university in West Tennessee, excluding Memphis.
1927
99 years old
$51M
$51 million (2021)
7,507
6,817 undergrad · 690 grad
250 acres
Identity
Is The University of Tennessee-Martin Worth It?
The University of Tennessee-Martin offers moderate value at $10,701/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $44,213, which is 18% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% 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.
How The University of Tennessee-Martin compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #27 of 164 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #27 | The University of Tennessee-Martin | 55 | $10,701 | $44,213 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Tennessee-Martin's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in TN.
Best Programs at The University of Tennessee-Martin
The highest-earning program at The University of Tennessee-Martin is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $21,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from The University of Tennessee-Martin earns $56,200, while a Biology, General graduate earns $21,400. 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 $22,525 in median debt vs. $22,190 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,701/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 | $56,200 | $56,200 | $22,525 |
| Engineering, General | $52,900 | $52,900 | $21,152 |
| Computer Science | $42,900 | $42,900 | $26,907 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,300 | $39,300 | $22,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $38,300 | $38,300 | $22,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,700 | $34,700 | $22,625 |
| Agriculture, General | $32,800 | $32,800 | $20,575 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,400 | $32,400 | $25,838 |
| Marketing | $30,700 | $30,700 | $21,000 |
| Social Work | $30,200 | $30,200 | $28,250 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $29,800 | $29,800 | $23,494 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,100 | $28,100 | $24,744 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $27,100 | $27,100 | $28,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24,500 | $24,500 | $25,757 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $24,000 | $24,000 | $20,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,800 | $23,800 | $26,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $26,125 |
| Biology, General | $21,400 | $21,400 | $22,190 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Martin, TN
- Student Body
- 4,866 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,701
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,213
- Median Student Debt
- $21,024