Tennessee Wesleyan University
#3 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,989 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $14,836 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 69% B-
- 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. Ranked #3 in Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $15.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $860,477.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 46% — 20% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Tennessee Wesleyan University Matters
Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private college in Athens, 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 846
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Tennessee Wesleyan 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 69% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,836 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,989 ten years after enrolling — 13% above the typical college, against $20,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 77% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.46 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 846 students, Tennessee Wesleyan University is a solid choice for those pursuing degrees in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Criminal Justice, or Psychology. The 69% acceptance rate suggests an inclusive environment where students can find their niche. This school fits well for individuals looking for a close-knit community and personal attention in their educational journey.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $45,989 within ten years, which can set a positive tone for their career paths. While the graduation rate sits at 46%, it’s important to recognize that many students find their footing after some time. The affordability of the programs, coupled with a significant portion of students receiving Pell Grants (39%), indicates a commitment to making education accessible, even for those from lower-income backgrounds.
The practical side of attending Tennessee Wesleyan includes a net price of $14,836 after aid, which positions it as a reasonable option for many. With a median debt load of $20,000, graduates leave with a manageable amount of student loans. This balance makes it an appealing choice for students who are motivated and looking to thrive in a supportive environment.
Rankings
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee
- #4 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #5 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #5 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- #6 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #8 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #9 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Athens, Tennessee, Tennessee Wesleyan University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1090
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- ACT Range
- 19–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,870
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.44
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 968
- Admitted
- 588
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 Tennessee Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tennessee Wesleyan University is $30,814, 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 $14,836. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,609 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $30,814
- Out-of-State
- $30,814
- Avg Net Price
- $14,836
- Median Debt
- $20,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,609
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,088
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,647
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,980
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of $45,989, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,987
- 8 Years
- $46,048
- 10 Years
- $45,989
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (63)
- 33%
- 100% (63)
- 33%
- 100% (63)
- 33%
- 100% (63)
- 33%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of Tennessee Wesleyan University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
How Tennessee 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Tennessee Wesleyan University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,836/year ($59,344 total). Graduates earn $45,989 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $919,821 in total earnings — a net gain of $860,477 (15.5× your investment). The median debt is $20,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,344
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $919,821
- Net Return
- $860,477
- ROI Multiple
- 15.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,836
- Median Debt
- $20,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
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 Tennessee Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tennessee Wesleyan 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 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 7.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $71,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,880,291
- Investment Income
- $-943,509
Top Programs
The fields Tennessee Wesleyan 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.
- Health Professions 44%
- Business & Marketing 22%
- Psychology 8%
- Education 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Criminal Justice 4%
- Mathematics & Statistics 1%
- Social Sciences 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Tennessee Wesleyan 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
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Tennessee Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Athens, Tennessee, Tennessee Wesleyan University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tennessee Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tennessee Wesleyan University is $30,814, 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 $14,836. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,609 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,000 in federal student loans.
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of $45,989, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Tennessee Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tennessee Wesleyan 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 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.46, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Tennessee Wesleyan University.
- Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KY · Close peer49% grad $46,747 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of the OzarksClarksville, AR · Close peer52% grad $44,384 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Greensboro CollegeGreensboro, NC · Close peer43% grad $46,566 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC · Close peer45% grad $45,151 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Milligan UniversityMilligan, TN · Close peer62% grad $46,641 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA · Close peer40% grad $47,361 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.46, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note