Murfreesboro, TN · Private University
Is Middle Tennessee State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$48,541
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,506
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,042
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$116,168
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.67x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
54.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,599
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Middle Tennessee State University graduates earn $3,541 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Middle Tennessee State University ranked by graduate earnings
49 graduates
93 graduates
73 graduates
83 graduates
103 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Middle Tennessee State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Middle Tennessee State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Construction Management: $84,889) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $27,245) is $57,644/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Construction ManagementBest ROI | $84,889 | 2.9x |
| Computer Science | $76,044 | 2.6x |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $74,671 | 2.6x |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering(1yr data) | $71,664 | 2.5x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $64,340 | 2.2x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,829 | 2.2x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $60,785 | 2.1x |
| Air Transportation | $60,361 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,969 | 2.1x |
| Marketing | $54,938 | 1.9x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $54,464 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $52,689 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,150 | 1.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $51,478 | 1.8x |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $50,653 | 1.7x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $50,289 | 1.7x |
| Public Health | $48,323 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General | $46,822 | 1.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,241 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,804 | 1.6x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $43,755 | 1.5x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $42,543 | 1.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $42,215 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $41,696 | 1.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $41,658 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,969 | 1.4x |
| Business/Commerce, General(1yr data) | $40,100 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,987 | 1.4x |
| Security Science and Technology(1yr data) | $39,956 | 1.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $38,807 | 1.3x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $38,798 | 1.3x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $38,773 | 1.3x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $38,553 | 1.3x |
| Music | $38,385 | 1.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,594 | 1.3x |
| Social Work | $37,223 | 1.3x |
| History | $36,943 | 1.3x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $36,740 | 1.3x |
| International/Global Studies | $36,496 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,484 | 1.3x |
| Plant Sciences | $36,206 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $35,287 | 1.2x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $35,270 | 1.2x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $34,701 | 1.2x |
| Animal Sciences | $34,255 | 1.2x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $34,004 | 1.2x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $33,418 | 1.1x |
| Anthropology | $33,147 | 1.1x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $30,659 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts(1yr data) | $28,202 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $27,245 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Middle Tennessee State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,541 10 years after starting, $3,541 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.6 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.