Southern Adventist University
#2 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,723 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $24,345 D
- 42% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 66% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $13.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,245,727.
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 32% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.44% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern Adventist University Matters
Southern Adventist University is a private university in Collegedale, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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
- 2,773
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI · 95
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose Southern Adventist 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 66% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1020–1300. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,345 a year after grants and scholarships — 42% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,723 ten years after enrolling — 32% above the typical college, against $24,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 18% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.65 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern Adventist University is a great option for students interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, and Psychology. With an enrollment of around 2,773 students and an acceptance rate of 66%, it offers a welcoming environment for those looking for a blend of personal attention and academic challenge. The university's focus on these programs means students can expect a curriculum that aligns well with current job market needs.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years post-graduation stand at about $53,723. This figure gives a solid indication of the potential financial return on investment for students. While the graduation rate is 50%, it’s important to consider that many graduates find their niche and move into fulfilling careers, particularly in growth areas like health and business. This suggests that while the completion rate might seem low, the paths available to graduates can lead to meaningful opportunities.
When it comes to the financial aspect, the net price of attending Southern Adventist University after aid is about $24,345, with a median debt of $24,500. This level of debt is fairly manageable, especially considering the average earnings of graduates. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a supportive community and are drawn to the values promoted by the university, making it a good fit for individuals seeking both academic and personal growth.
Rankings
- #2 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee
- #5 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #8 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #13 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #13 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #14 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Adventist University, located in Collegedale, Tennessee, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 66% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,129. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 66%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1129
- SAT Range
- 1020–1300
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,732
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.77
- First-Gen Students
- 18%
- Applicants
- 2,490
- Admitted
- 1,638
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 Southern Adventist University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Adventist University is $27,300, 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 $24,345. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,123 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $27,300
- Out-of-State
- $27,300
- Avg Net Price
- $24,345
- Median Debt
- $24,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,123
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,421
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,849
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,751
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 Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $53,723, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,818
- 8 Years
- $49,257
- 10 Years
- $53,723
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.46x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (140)
- 33%
- 100% (140)
- 33%
- 100% (140)
- 33%
- 100% (140)
- 33%
How Southern 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 Southern Adventist University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern Adventist University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,345/year ($97,380 total). Graduates earn $53,723 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,343,107 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,245,727 (13.8× your investment). The median debt is $24,500, 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)
- $97,380
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,343,107
- Net Return
- $1,245,727
- ROI Multiple
- 13.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,345
- Median Debt
- $24,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
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 Southern Adventist University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Adventist University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.44%, among the highest in the country. About 8.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.44%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $109,371
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,216,652
- Investment Income
- $-1,921,615
Top Programs
The fields Southern Adventist 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.
- Health Professions 33% $63,662 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $41,028 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Psychology 7% $45,409 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Education 4% $49,215 early-career
- Communications 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
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 Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Adventist University, located in Collegedale, Tennessee, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 66% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,129. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Adventist University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Adventist University is $27,300, 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 $24,345. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,123 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.
Is Southern Adventist University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $53,723, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southern Adventist University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Adventist University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.44%, among the highest in the country. About 8.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, 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 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern Adventist University.
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer56% grad $53,610 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Florida Southern CollegeLakeland, FL · Close peer70% grad $55,294 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Caldwell UniversityCaldwell, NJ · Close peer58% grad $53,843 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX · Close peer49% grad $55,933 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX · Close peer60% grad $55,736 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stetson UniversityDeLand, FL · Close peer63% grad $51,642 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, 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 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note