Union University
#4 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,990 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $27,171 D
- 59% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 60% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,221,397.
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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Every $1 invested returns $12.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Union University Matters
Union University is a private doctoral / professional university in Jackson, 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 Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 1,607
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 75
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Union 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 60% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1160–1390. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $27,171 a year after grants and scholarships — 59% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,990 ten years after enrolling — 32% above the typical college, against $20,714 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 28% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 1,600 students, Union University offers a welcoming environment that feels both personal and engaging. It attracts those interested in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and the Humanities, among other fields. The acceptance rate sits at 60%, so there’s a good chance for those who apply. What stands out here is the emphasis on a well-rounded education that prepares students for both their careers and life beyond the classroom.
Looking at what happens after graduation, students can expect to earn about $53,990 after ten years. This is a significant figure that reflects the potential for a stable income in various fields, especially for those in health and business. The affordability of Union is also notable, with a net price of $27,171, making it accessible for many families. While 25% of students receive Pell Grants, the overall affordability can lead to positive outcomes for graduates who manage their finances wisely.
When we consider the financial bottom line, the median debt for students is $20,714, which is quite manageable compared to national averages. This suggests that students can leave Union with a reasonable debt load, especially given their earning potential. Those who thrive here often value a supportive community and a commitment to academic and personal growth, making it a solid choice for students seeking a fulfilling college experience.
Rankings
- #4 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #7 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee
- #7 Best Nursing Colleges in Tennessee
- #8 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Data Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #10 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Union 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 Union University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Jackson, Tennessee, Union University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,256. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 60%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- SAT Average
- 1256
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1160–1390
- ACT Range
- 22–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,181
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.55
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 2,839
- Admitted
- 1,492
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 Union University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Union University is $40,025, 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 $27,171. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,839 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,714 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $40,025
- Out-of-State
- $40,025
- Avg Net Price
- $27,171
- Median Debt
- $20,714
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $25,839
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $26,181
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,891
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,373
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 Union 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 Union University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Union University earn a median of $53,990, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,505
- 8 Years
- $50,033
- 10 Years
- $53,990
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (189)
- 57%
- 100% (189)
- 57%
- 100% (189)
- 57%
- 100% (189)
- 57%
How Union 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 Union University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Union University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $27,171/year ($108,684 total). Graduates earn $53,990 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,330,081 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,221,397 (12.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,714, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $108,684
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,330,081
- Net Return
- $1,221,397
- ROI Multiple
- 12.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $27,171
- Median Debt
- $20,714
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
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 Union University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Union 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 1.98%, well above the typical college. About 7.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.98%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $121,327
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,230,381
- Investment Income
- $-5,351,707
Top Programs
The fields Union 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 22% $69,715 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $34,410 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Communications 4% $31,312 early-career
- Education 4% $44,467 early-career
- Humanities 4% $29,935 early-career
- Social Sciences 4%
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 Union 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 Union University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Jackson, Tennessee, Union University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,256. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Union University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Union University is $40,025, 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 $27,171. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,839 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,714 in federal student loans.
Is Union University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Union University earn a median of $53,990, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Union University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Union 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 1.98%, well above the typical college. About 7.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Union 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 Union University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, 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 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Union University.
- Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR · Close peer66% grad $51,673 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Caldwell UniversityCaldwell, NJ · Close peer58% grad $53,843 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDelaware, OH · Close peer60% grad $55,624 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse, NY · Close peer68% grad $55,763 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Willamette UniversitySalem, OR · Close peer72% grad $56,911 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Alvernia UniversityReading, PA · Close peer57% grad $55,055 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Union 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 Union University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, 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 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note