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Knoxville, TN · Private University

Is South College Worth It?

ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data

Strong ROIRanked #2339 of 3,472 schools by ROI

Key Numbers

10-Year Earnings

$36,642

median, 10 years after enrollment

In-State Tuition

$17,935

per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$17,935

per year

Total 4-Year Cost

$71,740

tuition only (4 years)

ROI Ratio

2.04x

earnings ÷ annual tuition

Payback Period

43.7 yrs

years to recoup total cost

Graduation Rate

36.7%

6-year graduation rate

Median Debt

$18,668

at graduation

Avg Net Price

$17,182

after aid & scholarships

Earnings vs. Annual Cost

10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition

Median Earnings (10yr)$36,642
Annual Tuition$17,935
National Median Earnings$45,000

South College graduates earn $8,358 less 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

Under $30,000$16,059/yr
$30,000 – $48,000$17,219/yr
$48,000 – $75,000$18,193/yr
$75,000 – $110,000$23,707/yr
Over $110,000$26,550/yr

Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.

Highest-Earning Majors

Top programs at South College ranked by graduate earnings

1
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.$59,435

221 graduates

2
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.$43,775

20 graduates

Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.

ROI by Major at South College

All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.

MajorEarningsROI
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI$59,4353.3x
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions(1yr data)$43,7752.4x

Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.

The Bottom Line

South College stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $36,642 10 years after starting, $8,358 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 43.7 years to recover the total cost of attendance.

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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.