The University of the South
#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 81% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $64,911 A-
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $27,872 D
- 63% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 57% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $14.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,542,253.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 59% more than the national college median.
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A 81% graduation rate — 42% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why The University of the South Matters
The University of the South is a private liberal arts college in Sewanee, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,607
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 73
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, English & Literature, Psychology
Why students choose The University of the South
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 57% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1260–1390. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $27,872 a year after grants and scholarships — 63% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $64,911 ten years after enrolling — 59% above the typical college, against $22,855 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 69% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.77 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,600 students, The University of the South attracts those who seek a close-knit community and a rigorous academic experience. Students here often dive into popular fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, and Business. The acceptance rate of 57% means there’s a reasonable chance for students who show strong potential and commitment.
When it comes to what life looks like after graduation, the average earnings ten years out sit at $64,911. That’s a solid starting point for many graduates, especially considering the investment in education. The affordability aspect is noteworthy as well; with a net price of $27,872, it’s a manageable figure for many, though it’s important to weigh this against any financial aid received.
On the practical side, graduates leave with a median debt of $22,855. This debt load is relatively low compared to national averages, which can make a significant difference in financial freedom later on. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a blend of academic seriousness and community engagement, making the most of their college experience both inside and outside the classroom.
Rankings
- #2 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #3 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #3 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #3 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #6 Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #6 Best Data Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #11 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #20 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective The University of the South 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 the South? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Sewanee, Tennessee, The University of the South offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,344. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- SAT Average
- 1344
- ACT Midpoint
- 29
- SAT Range
- 1260–1390
- ACT Range
- 27–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 89%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,158
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.31
- First-Gen Students
- 13%
- Applicants
- 4,578
- Admitted
- 2,395
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 the South? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of the South is $56,120, 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 $27,872. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,485 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,855 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $56,120
- Out-of-State
- $56,120
- Avg Net Price
- $27,872
- Median Debt
- $22,855
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,485
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,704
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,746
- Family Income $110K+
- $38,762
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 the South — 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 the South Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of the South earn a median of $64,911, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $53,456
- 8 Years
- $55,160
- 10 Years
- $64,911
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (353)
- 76%
- 100% (353)
- 76%
- 100% (353)
- 76%
- 100% (353)
- 76%
How The 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 The University of the South Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The University of the South delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $27,872/year ($111,488 total). Graduates earn $64,911 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,653,741 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,542,253 (14.8× your investment). The median debt is $22,855, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 81% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $111,488
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,653,741
- Net Return
- $1,542,253
- ROI Multiple
- 14.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $27,872
- Median Debt
- $22,855
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
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 The University of the South Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The University of the South 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 1.12%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.6% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $174,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.12%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 30.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $236,677
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,740,411
- Investment Income
- $-67,997,506
Top Programs
The fields The University of the South 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.
- Social Sciences 25% $56,552 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 15%
- English & Literature 9% $29,935 early-career
- Psychology 7% $31,312 early-career
- Business & Marketing 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Physical Sciences 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 The University of the South'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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of the South? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Sewanee, Tennessee, The University of the South offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 57% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,344. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of the South? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of the South is $56,120, 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 $27,872. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,485 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,855 in federal student loans.
Is The University of the South Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of the South earn a median of $64,911, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does The University of the South Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The University of the South 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 1.12%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.6% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $174,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is The University of the South? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The University of the South. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The University of the South.
- Rhodes CollegeMemphis, TN · Close peer83% grad $66,651 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Centre CollegeDanville, KY · Close peer83% grad $66,240 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-IrvineIrvine, CA · Close peer60% grad $65,083 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL · Close peer74% grad $61,825 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Norton, MA · Close peer74% grad $67,725 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Lawrence UniversityCanton, NY · Close peer79% grad $67,258 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is The University of the South? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The University of the South. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note