Belmont University
#8 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 71% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,930 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $33,147 F
- 93% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 95% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,466,724.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 37% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Belmont University Matters
Belmont University is a private doctoral / professional university in Nashville, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 7,137
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 42
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Belmont University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 95% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1160–1350. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $33,147 a year after grants and scholarships — 93% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,930 ten years after enrolling — 37% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 95% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.80 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 7,137 students, Belmont University in Nashville, TN, is particularly well-suited for those drawn to the arts and health professions. The acceptance rate of 95% suggests that the university values inclusivity and is open to a diverse range of applicants. Students can dive into engaging programs like Visual & Performing Arts, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Communications, and Biology & Biomedical fields. This variety allows students to tailor their education to their passions and career goals.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni earn an average of $55,930 within ten years, which can be a solid benchmark for students considering their return on investment. While we don’t have mobility rates, the earnings indicate that many graduates find stable positions in their fields. Affordability is also a factor; the net price after aid stands at $33,147, which helps students manage costs effectively.
In terms of financials, graduates leave with a median debt of $20,500, a manageable amount that reflects the university's commitment to making education accessible. Students who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds and are passionate about the programs they choose. This supportive environment, combined with practical academic paths, sets many on a positive trajectory for their careers.
Rankings
- #8 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #13 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #14 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #15 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #16 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #16 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #18 Best Colleges for Visual
- #18 Best Colleges for Graphic Design
Can I Get In?
How selective Belmont University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Belmont University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,280. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1280
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1160–1350
- ACT Range
- 24–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 64%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,550
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.47
- First-Gen Students
- 16%
- Applicants
- 9,163
- Admitted
- 8,821
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Belmont University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds.
- Submitted SAT
- 18%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 37%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 55% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Belmont University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Belmont University is $42,540, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,147. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,950 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $42,540
- Out-of-State
- $42,540
- Avg Net Price
- $33,147
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,950
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $24,723
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $28,009
- Family Income $110K+
- $43,606
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Belmont University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Belmont University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Belmont University earn a median of $55,930, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,770
- 8 Years
- $50,319
- 10 Years
- $55,930
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (857)
- 59%
- 100% (857)
- 59%
- 100% (857)
- 59%
- 100% (857)
- 59%
How Belmont Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Belmont University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Belmont University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $33,147/year ($132,588 total). Graduates earn $55,930 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,599,312 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,466,724 (12.1× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 71% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $132,588
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,599,312
- Net Return
- $1,466,724
- ROI Multiple
- 12.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $33,147
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Belmont University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Belmont University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.58%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.58%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $158,554
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-28,640,530
Top Programs
The fields Belmont University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 40% $39,121 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $67,032 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $65,381 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Psychology 4% $22,304 early-career
- Communications 4% $43,782 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2%
- Social Sciences 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Belmont University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Belmont University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,280. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Belmont University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Belmont University is $42,540, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,147. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,950 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is Belmont University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Belmont University earn a median of $55,930, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Belmont University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Belmont University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.58%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Belmont University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Belmont University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Belmont University offer Early Decision?
No. Belmont University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Belmont University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 55% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Belmont University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Belmont University.
- Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ · Close peer70% grad $57,602 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL · Close peer78% grad $58,469 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · Close peer68% grad $55,177 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · Close peer65% grad $62,616 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD · Close peer61% grad $55,070 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- California State University-Monterey BaySeaside, CA · Close peer61% grad $59,247 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Belmont University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Belmont University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note