Carson-Newman University
- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,382 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,251 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,175,988.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Carson-Newman University Matters
Carson-Newman University is a private doctoral / professional university in Jefferson City, 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
- 1,387
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 54
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Carson-Newman 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 90% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 955–1215. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,251 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,382 ten years after enrolling — 19% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.59 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Carson-Newman University serves around 1,400 students, making it a cozy environment for those looking for a closer-knit campus experience. With a 90% acceptance rate, it welcomes a diverse range of students who are interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Visual & Performing Arts, and Education. The emphasis on these areas means students can expect tailored support and resources to pursue their passions effectively.
After graduation, Carson-Newman alumni earn a median salary of $48,382 within ten years, which gives a sense of what to expect in the job market. While the graduation rate stands at 50%, many graduates find pathways to success in their chosen fields. Affordability is a key factor here; the net price after aid is $20,251, making it accessible for many families, especially with 33% of students receiving Pell Grants.
On the practical side, the median debt of $21,500 suggests that while there is some financial burden, it remains manageable for most graduates. Those who thrive here tend to be individuals who appreciate a supportive community and are driven to succeed in practical, career-oriented programs. This environment is ideal for students who value personal attention and a focused approach to their education.
Rankings
- #11 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #23 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #26 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #27 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #32 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #32 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #37 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #37 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Carson-Newman 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 Carson-Newman University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Carson-Newman University, located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,117. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- SAT Average
- 1117
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 955–1215
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,387
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 2,928
- Admitted
- 2,336
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 Carson-Newman University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carson-Newman University is $34,700, 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 $20,251. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,672 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,700
- Out-of-State
- $34,700
- Avg Net Price
- $20,251
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,672
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,446
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,313
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,621
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Carson-Newman University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carson-Newman University earn a median of $48,382, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,324
- 8 Years
- $44,452
- 10 Years
- $48,382
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (221)
- 45%
- 100% (221)
- 45%
- 100% (221)
- 45%
- 100% (221)
- 45%
How Carson-Newman Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Carson-Newman University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Carson-Newman University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,251/year ($81,004 total). Graduates earn $48,382 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,256,992 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,175,988 (15.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $81,004
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,256,992
- Net Return
- $1,175,988
- ROI Multiple
- 15.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,251
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,197,278
- Investment Income
- $-8,933,647
Top Programs
The fields Carson-Newman University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Health Professions 11%
- Humanities 8%
- Visual & Performing Arts 8%
- Education 7%
- Psychology 6%
- Communications 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Carson-Newman 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
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carson-Newman University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Carson-Newman University, located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,117. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carson-Newman University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carson-Newman University is $34,700, 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 $20,251. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,672 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Carson-Newman University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carson-Newman University earn a median of $48,382, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Carson-Newman 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 Carson-Newman University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Carson-Newman University.
- Newberry CollegeNewberry, SC · Close peer45% grad $48,040 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityHickory, NC · Close peer49% grad $45,543 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Muskingum UniversityNew Concord, OH · Close peer55% grad $48,440 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Piedmont UniversityDemorest, GA · Close peer44% grad $49,130 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Carlow UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Close peer58% grad $51,051 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD · Close peer51% grad $47,618 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Carson-Newman 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 Carson-Newman University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note