Freed-Hardeman University
#10 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,485 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $21,574 D+
- 26% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 60% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.5 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $13.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,080,891.
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 $13.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Freed-Hardeman University Matters
Freed-Hardeman University is a private university in Henderson, 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,212
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 74
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Freed-Hardeman 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
Competitive — admits about 60% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 952–1087. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,574 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,485 ten years after enrolling — 16% 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 1.73 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Freed-Hardeman University is a great fit for those who want a close-knit community with a focus on personal and academic growth. With an enrollment of about 1,200 students, it offers an engaging environment for individuals pursuing degrees in areas like Business and Marketing, Visual and Performing Arts, Health Professions, Education, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 60% means that while the school is selective, many students can find a place here.
After graduation, students can expect solid earnings, with a median income of $47,485 a decade later. This financial outlook can reflect the value of the programs offered and the dedication of graduates to their fields. As we consider affordability, it's worth noting that the net price after aid is about $21,574, making it accessible for many. The 70% graduation rate indicates that most students successfully complete their degrees, which is a positive sign for prospective students weighing their options.
When it comes to the cost of education, the median debt stands at $21,500, which is relatively manageable, especially when compared to potential earnings. Students who thrive here often appreciate the supportive atmosphere and the emphasis on faith and learning. Freed-Hardeman is ideal for those looking to balance academic rigor with personal growth in a community-oriented setting.
Rankings
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #13 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- #17 Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #17 Best Data Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #21 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #25 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #26 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #30 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Freed-Hardeman University, located in Henderson, Tennessee, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,109. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 60%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1109
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 952–1087
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,300
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.23
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 1,067
- Admitted
- 973
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 Freed-Hardeman University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Freed-Hardeman University is $25,620, 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 $21,574. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,988 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $25,620
- Out-of-State
- $25,620
- Avg Net Price
- $21,574
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 18%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,988
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,788
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,639
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,618
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Freed-Hardeman University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Freed-Hardeman University earn a median of $47,485, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,086
- 8 Years
- $42,415
- 10 Years
- $47,485
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (198)
- 58%
- 100% (198)
- 58%
- 100% (198)
- 58%
- 100% (198)
- 58%
How Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Freed-Hardeman University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,574/year ($86,296 total). Graduates earn $47,485 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,167,187 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,080,891 (13.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $86,296
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,167,187
- Net Return
- $1,080,891
- ROI Multiple
- 13.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,574
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,180,554
- Investment Income
- $-4,059,143
Top Programs
The fields Freed-Hardeman 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 13%
- Visual & Performing Arts 10%
- Health Professions 10%
- Education 8%
- Psychology 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Freed-Hardeman 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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Freed-Hardeman University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Freed-Hardeman University, located in Henderson, Tennessee, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,109. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Freed-Hardeman University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Freed-Hardeman University is $25,620, 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 $21,574. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,988 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Freed-Hardeman University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Freed-Hardeman University earn a median of $47,485, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Freed-Hardeman University.
- Evangel UniversitySpringfield, MO · Close peer65% grad $46,573 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Asbury UniversityWilmore, KY · Close peer65% grad $42,368 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Alma CollegeAlma, MI · Close peer63% grad $54,742 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Meredith CollegeRaleigh, NC · Close peer68% grad $51,539 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR · Close peer66% grad $51,673 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The College of IdahoCaldwell, ID · Close peer63% grad $48,473 earn 49% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note