The University of the South
The University of the South — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of the South at a Glance
The University of the South, familiarly known as Sewanee, is a private Episcopal liberal arts college in Sewanee, Tennessee, United States. It is owned by 28 southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church, and its School of Theology is an official seminary of the church. The campus consists of 13,000 acres (53 km2) of scenic mountain property atop the Cumberland Plateau, with the developed portion occupying about 1,000 acres (4.0 km2).
1857
169 years old
$518M
$517.6 million (2025)
1,695
13,000 acres
Identity
Is The University of the South Worth It?
The University of the South offers moderate value at $27,872/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $64,911, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How The University of the South compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TN
Ranked #7 of 48 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 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #2 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #3 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #6 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| #7 | The University of the South | 47 | $27,872 | $64,911 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of The University of the South's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in TN.
Best Programs at The University of the South
The highest-earning program at The University of the South is Economics at $45,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $21,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from The University of the South earns $45,600, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $21,100. 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: Economics graduates carry $17,500 in median debt vs. $19,104 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,872/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $45,600 | $45,600 | $17,500 |
| International/Global Studies | $31,000 | $31,000 | $18,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,100 | $22,100 | $19,750 |
| Psychology, General | $21,100 | $21,100 | $19,104 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Sewanee, TN
- Student Body
- 1,607 students
- Admission Rate
- 57%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,872
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,911
- Median Student Debt
- $22,855