John A Gupton College: 60.9% Acceptance Rate

60.9%Acceptance

$12,040Tuition

160Students

31%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$46,902Earnings

Private nonprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About John A Gupton College

John A Gupton College trains the next generation of funeral directors and embalmers in America's music capital. This specialized institution enrolls just 160 students who focus entirely on mortuary science and funeral service education. The college maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention in this highly technical field.

Students pay an average net price of $19,772 after financial aid, regardless of whether they're from Tennessee or elsewhere. Graduates typically earn $46,902 ten years after completing their programs, making the median debt load of $12,610 quite manageable. Monthly loan payments average just $134, and the strong employment rate of 95.8% reflects consistent demand for funeral service professionals. The investment pays off quickly in a recession-proof industry.

Women make up 68% of the student body, reflecting changing demographics in funeral service. Only 36% of students receive federal financial aid, suggesting many come from families already in the business. The 31% six-year graduation rate might seem low, but many students enter the workforce before completing all coursework, as funeral homes often hire based on licensing rather than degree completion. Nashville's large metropolitan setting provides ample internship opportunities at established funeral homes.

Academics & Faculty

This specialized funeral service college focuses entirely on mortuary science and funeral directing programs. Students prepare for careers in funeral homes, crematories, and cemetery management through hands-on training with embalming techniques and grief counseling. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio provides intensive mentorship in this highly technical field. However, the 30.80% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of mortuary science coursework, which includes chemistry, pathology, and business management. The college operates as one of the few institutions nationwide dedicated exclusively to funeral service education. Programs emphasize both the technical skills needed for body preparation and the interpersonal abilities required to support grieving families during difficult times.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate (6-year): 30.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $46,902

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science.	Associate	$33,993

View all 2 programs →

Campus Life

John A. Gupton College operates from a compact urban campus in Nashville, serving just 160 students focused on funeral service education. The specialized nature means you'll know most of your classmates personally with the 14:1 student-faculty ratio. Nashville's humid subtropical climate requires both winter coats for January lows in the 30s and summer preparation for 80-degree heat with high humidity.

The college doesn't offer on-campus housing, so students commute from apartments and homes throughout the Nashville area. About 77% of students come from Tennessee, creating a tight-knit community of future funeral directors. Weekend activities center around Nashville's music scene and downtown attractions just minutes away. The specialized curriculum means students often form study groups for anatomy and embalming courses. With 68% female enrollment, the student body reflects the changing demographics of the funeral service industry. The 95.8% employment rate speaks to the career-focused atmosphere where students understand their clear professional path from day one.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 27°–48°F
July Avg: 67°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 53.2"
Annual Snowfall: 4.7"

Student Demographics

This specialized funeral service college draws students committed to a specific career path in mortuary science. With over three-quarters coming from Tennessee, John A Gupton has built a strong regional reputation for training future funeral directors and embalmers. Women make up about two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the growing female presence in funeral service professions. The student population of 160 creates an intimate learning environment where everyone knows each other. More than one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families seeking stable, recession-proof careers in death care services.

Men: 31.9%
Women: 68.1%
White: 83.1%
Black: 11.9%
Hispanic: 1.9%
Asian: 1.3%
In-State Students: 76.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 36.2%

Location

John A Gupton College sits in Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of Music City and home to 695,000 residents. The school operates within one of the South's fastest-growing metropolitan areas, where the healthcare and service industries create steady demand for funeral service professionals. Nashville's diverse economy includes major medical centers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center alongside the famous country music industry. The city blends Southern hospitality with urban amenities, offering students internship opportunities at the area's many funeral homes and medical facilities. Students considering colleges in Tennessee may also compare John A Gupton College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Nashville, Tennessee 37203-2954

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $46,902
Median Earnings (5 years): $49,319
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $32,500
Loan Repayment Rate: 47.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $134/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,610

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at John A Gupton College?

John A Gupton College accepts 60.87% of applicants with an average ACT score of 21. This specialized funeral service college focuses on preparing students for careers in mortuary science rather than competing for the highest test scores.

How much does John A Gupton College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $19,772, though only 36.22% of students receive financial aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $17,061 after aid, while those from higher-income families pay more.

What kind of academic programs does John A Gupton College offer?

The college specializes exclusively in funeral service education and mortuary science programs with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. With only 160 students enrolled, this creates an intimate learning environment focused on hands-on training for the funeral industry.

What are the job prospects after graduating from John A Gupton College?

Graduates achieve an impressive 95.8% employment rate with median earnings of $46,902 ten years after graduation. The specialized nature of mortuary science creates strong job security, though the 6-year graduation rate of 30.80% reflects the program's demanding requirements.

Where do most John A Gupton College students come from?

About 76.92% of students are from Tennessee, with women making up 68.13% of enrollment. The student body is predominantly white at 83.13%, with 11.88% Black students, reflecting both regional demographics and the funeral service industry's composition.

Is John A Gupton College affordable compared to student debt levels?

Students graduate with a median debt of just $12,610 and monthly loan payments of $134. The relatively low debt burden makes sense given the specialized career focus and strong employment rates in funeral service, though only 47.50% successfully repay their loans on schedule.