The University of Tennessee Southern
The University of Tennessee Southern — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Tennessee Southern at a Glance
The University of Tennessee Southern is a public university in Pulaski, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1870, it was a private institution for over 150 years until joining the University of Tennessee System in 2021. It was renamed and became the first new primary campus in the University of Tennessee System in over 50 years. The name University of Tennessee Southern was chosen because the campus serves the 13 counties of southern Middle Tennessee.
1870
156 years old
$9M
$9.28 million
1,132
57
55 acres
Identity
Is The University of Tennessee Southern Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, The University of Tennessee Southern is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,924 — 28% below average — while paying $12,798/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 36% 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 $21,500 representing 55% 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 The University of Tennessee Southern has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How The University of Tennessee Southern compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #30 of 40 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #4 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #5 | American Samoa Community College | 89 | $3,386 | $30,087 |
| #6 | Grays Harbor College | 75 | $4,783 | $40,865 |
| #30 | The University of Tennessee Southern | 28 | $12,798 | $38,924 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Tennessee Southern's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at The University of Tennessee Southern
The highest-earning program at The University of Tennessee Southern is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $48,400/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 The University of Tennessee Southern earns $48,400, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $48,400. 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 $28,500 in median debt vs. $28,500 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,798/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 | $48,400 | $48,400 | $28,500 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pulaski, TN
- Student Body
- 864 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,798
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,924
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500