The University of Tennessee Southern
- Graduation Rate
- 36% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,924 C-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,798 B-
- 25% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $793,384.
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 36% — 36% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About The University of Tennessee Southern
The University of Tennessee Southern is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 864
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Humanities, Education, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose The University of Tennessee Southern
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 87% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 905–1110. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,798 a year after grants and scholarships — 25% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,924 ten years after enrolling — 5% below the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
The University of Tennessee Southern serves around 864 students, making it a good fit for those who appreciate a close-knit community. With an acceptance rate of 87%, it’s accessible for many aspiring college students. Here, you can dive into popular programs like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, and Education, allowing students to tailor their education to their career goals.
Looking at post-graduation outcomes, alumni from UT Southern earn an average of $38,924 within ten years of completing their degree. While the graduation rate sits at 36%, those who do finish often find themselves in a better financial position. Affordability is a consideration here, especially for students applying for Pell Grants, which 36% of attendees do. This suggests a focus on supporting students from lower-income backgrounds.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid is about $12,798, which is quite manageable compared to the median debt of $21,500. Students who thrive here tend to appreciate a supportive environment and have clear career aspirations, particularly in fields like health and education. This college can be a stepping stone for those ready to work hard and make the most of their opportunities.
Rankings
- #12 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- #18 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #21 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #23 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee
- #25 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #29 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #29 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #35 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective The University of Tennessee Southern 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 The University of Tennessee Southern? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The University of Tennessee Southern, located in Pulaski, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,083. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1083
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 905–1110
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,695
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 608
- Admitted
- 488
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 The University of Tennessee Southern? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Tennessee Southern is $10,924, 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 $12,798. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,335 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,924
- Out-of-State
- $10,924
- Avg Net Price
- $12,798
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 36%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 27%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,335
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,071
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,343
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,135
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 The University of Tennessee Southern — 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 The University of Tennessee Southern Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Tennessee Southern report median earnings of $38,924, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,151
- 8 Years
- $38,711
- 10 Years
- $38,924
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.55x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (60)
- 24%
- 100% (60)
- 24%
- 100% (60)
- 24%
- 100% (60)
- 24%
How The 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 The University of Tennessee Southern Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The University of Tennessee Southern delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,798/year ($51,192 total). Graduates earn $38,924 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $844,576 in total earnings — a net gain of $793,384 (16.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $51,192
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $844,576
- Net Return
- $793,384
- ROI Multiple
- 16.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,798
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $260,323
- Federal Grants
- $45,842
- Investment Income
- $527,175
Top Programs
The fields The University of Tennessee Southern 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 26%
- Humanities 10%
- Education 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Criminal Justice 8%
- Health Professions 7% $56,617 early-career
- English & Literature 3%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
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 The University of Tennessee Southern'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 The University of Tennessee Southern? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The University of Tennessee Southern, located in Pulaski, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,083. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Tennessee Southern? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Tennessee Southern is $10,924, 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 $12,798. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,335 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is The University of Tennessee Southern Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Tennessee Southern report median earnings of $38,924, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The University of Tennessee Southern.
- Villa Maria CollegeBuffalo, NY · Close peer31% grad $38,857 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bluefield State UniversityBluefield, WV · Close peer36% grad $38,217 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Coker UniversityHartsville, SC · Close peer38% grad $40,117 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA · Close peer39% grad $38,275 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Edward Waters UniversityJacksonville, FL · Close peer28% grad $34,782 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
- West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, WV · Close peer36% grad $40,492 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
