Tusculum University
#7 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 28% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,367 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $21,131 D+
- 23% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.8 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Education Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $11.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $916,304.
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 28% — 51% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Tusculum University Matters
Tusculum University is a private university in Greeneville, 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
- 785
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 66
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Tusculum 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 72% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,131 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,367 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 92% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.34 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Tusculum University, with an enrollment of 785 students, caters to those seeking a close-knit community and personalized learning experience. The acceptance rate of 72% suggests it’s accessible for many, making it a good fit for students who thrive in smaller settings. Popular areas of study include Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, and Biology & Biomedical—programs that prepare students for diverse career paths.
Looking at life after graduation, students see an average earnings of $44,367 ten years post-degree. This figure gives a glimpse into what graduates can expect in terms of financial stability. While the graduation rate sits at 28%, which may raise questions, it’s important to focus on the value of the education received and the potential for upward mobility in the job market.
In terms of finances, the net price after aid stands at $21,131, with a median debt of $23,250 for graduates. This is a manageable figure for many students, especially considering the support available, including a Pell Grant rate of 46%. Those who tend to thrive at Tusculum are often those who value a supportive environment and are motivated to make the most of their educational journey.
Rankings
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #24 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #27 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #27 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #29 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #32 Best Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Tusculum 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 Tusculum University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Tusculum University, located in Greeneville, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,085
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.75
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
- Applicants
- 1,369
- Admitted
- 1,110
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 Tusculum University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tusculum University is $29,250, 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 $21,131. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,766 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $29,250
- Out-of-State
- $29,250
- Avg Net Price
- $21,131
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,766
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,124
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,519
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,563
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 Tusculum 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 Tusculum University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tusculum University report median earnings of $44,367, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,925
- 8 Years
- $42,829
- 10 Years
- $44,367
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.52x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (85)
- 30%
- 100% (85)
- 30%
- 100% (85)
- 30%
- 100% (85)
- 30%
How Tusculum 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 Tusculum University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Tusculum University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,131/year ($84,524 total). Graduates earn $44,367 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,000,828 in total earnings — a net gain of $916,304 (11.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 28% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $84,524
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,000,828
- Net Return
- $916,304
- ROI Multiple
- 11.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,131
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
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 Tusculum University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tusculum 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 0.67%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.9% 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 5.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $67,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.67%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 5.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $91,845
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,616,317
- Investment Income
- $180,022
Top Programs
The fields Tusculum 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 35% $47,939 early-career
- Education 14% $44,210 early-career
- Humanities 9% $29,935 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $23,930 early-career
- Psychology 5% $33,658 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3%
- English & Literature 2% $29,935 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 1% $19,945 early-career
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 Tusculum 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Tusculum University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Tusculum University, located in Greeneville, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tusculum University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tusculum University is $29,250, 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 $21,131. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,766 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is Tusculum University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tusculum University report median earnings of $44,367, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Tusculum University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tusculum 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 0.67%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.9% 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 5.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $67,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Tusculum 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 Tusculum University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.34, 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 Tusculum University.
- Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville, KY · Close peer34% grad $42,002 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emmanuel UniversityFranklin Springs, GA · Close peer38% grad $38,208 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Truett McConnell UniversityCleveland, GA · Close peer39% grad $46,700 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC · Close peer45% grad $45,151 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA · Close peer40% grad $47,361 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Webber International UniversityBabson Park, FL · Close peer27% grad $45,606 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Tusculum 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 Tusculum University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.34, 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