Johnson University
#3 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,596 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $22,063 D+
- 29% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 65% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.7 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $10.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $857,027.
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 $10.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Johnson University Matters
Johnson University is a private university in Knoxville, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 743
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 48
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Johnson 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 65% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 960–1110. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,063 a year after grants and scholarships — 29% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,596 ten years after enrolling — 0% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 98% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 743 students, Johnson University in Knoxville, TN, is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit community and a personalized education. The acceptance rate of 65% makes it accessible, while diverse programs like Psychology, Education, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, and Communications allow students to explore their passions in a supportive environment.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $40,596 after ten years, which is a solid starting point for many. This number reflects the university's commitment to preparing its graduates for the workforce, especially in fields that have strong demand. Affordability is also a key aspect, with a net price of $22,063, which helps keep education within reach for many families.
When it comes to the bottom line, students typically graduate with a median debt of $21,500. This manageable debt load, combined with the supportive environment, tends to help graduates thrive. Those who find their niche here are often driven and focused on making a positive impact in their chosen fields, making Johnson University a fitting choice for many.
Rankings
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #7 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #13 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #19 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #19 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #20 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #28 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Johnson 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 Johnson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnson University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,078. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 1078
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 960–1110
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,075
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.47
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 443
- Admitted
- 280
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 Johnson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Johnson University is $21,122, 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 $22,063. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,246 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $21,122
- Out-of-State
- $21,122
- Avg Net Price
- $22,063
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 55%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,246
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,212
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,206
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,860
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 Johnson 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 Johnson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Johnson University report median earnings of $40,596, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,649
- 8 Years
- $37,472
- 10 Years
- $40,596
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.53x
- Earning > $25K
- 50%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (97)
- 54%
- 100% (97)
- 54%
- 100% (97)
- 54%
- 100% (97)
- 54%
How Johnson 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 Johnson University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Johnson University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,063/year ($88,252 total). Graduates earn $40,596 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $945,279 in total earnings — a net gain of $857,027 (10.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $88,252
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $945,279
- Net Return
- $857,027
- ROI Multiple
- 10.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,063
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
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 Johnson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Johnson 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 0.39%, a more modest figure. About 5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.39%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 7.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $111,409
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,181,657
- Investment Income
- $-6,298,113
Top Programs
The fields Johnson 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.
- Business & Marketing 25% $25,014 early-career
- Psychology 13%
- Health Professions 4%
- Education 4%
- English & Literature 1%
- Visual & Performing Arts 1%
- Communications 1% $28,558 early-career
- Humanities 1%
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 Johnson 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
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Johnson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnson University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 65% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,078. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Johnson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Johnson University is $21,122, 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 $22,063. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,246 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Johnson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Johnson University report median earnings of $40,596, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Johnson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Johnson 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 0.39%, a more modest figure. About 5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Johnson 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 Johnson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Johnson University.
- Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville, KY · Close peer34% grad $42,002 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Lyon CollegeBatesville, AR · Close peer51% grad $44,232 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Toccoa Falls CollegeToccoa Falls, GA · Close peer45% grad $36,630 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Young Harris CollegeYoung Harris, GA · Close peer44% grad $47,195 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Hollins UniversityRoanoke, VA · Close peer67% grad $40,075 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emmanuel UniversityFranklin Springs, GA · Close peer38% grad $38,208 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Johnson 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 Johnson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note