At $25,610/yr net price, Lipscomb University graduates earn $55,541/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,541/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,610 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $102,440 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,541/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,541/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,886/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,642/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,820/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,322/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,873/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $119,716 | $269,705 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $79,473 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $70,456 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $66,077 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,005 | $41,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $58,221 | $21,082 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $55,512 | $25,506 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $54,697 | $23,732 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $53,080 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $52,107 |
The Risk Factor
68.7% of students at Lipscomb University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lipscomb University gives you a moderate financial return that leans on a few specific majors. At just over $25,000 a year net price, you're paying a premium for a private-nonprofit degree in Nashville, and the median earnings ten years out don't clear that bar with much room to spare. What saves the picture is the low median debt of $19,500, which is unusually manageable for a private school and keeps your downside contained.
Business administration is the clear winner here, and it pairs solid pay with the strongest job market in the region since Nashville runs on healthcare, finance, and corporate operations. Accounting and nursing also pay off, though nursing carries the highest debt of any program on this list at $25,000, so watch that gap. The weak end is teacher education and interdisciplinary studies, both of which land in the low $40,000s. If you borrow the full freight for either of those, the math turns against you, because your earnings won't grow fast enough to justify the private-school price.
The main risk is picking a low-earning major at a full net price. Lipscomb only makes sense financially if you aim at business, accounting, or nursing, or if your family income keeps your actual cost down.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay noticeably less than the sticker price, with the $30,000-to-$48,000 band paying the least. Above $110,000, you pay over $30,000 a year, and at that level the return only works for the higher-earning majors. This is a good fit for you if you're headed into business or healthcare and either qualify for the lower tiers or can pay without heavy borrowing. Look elsewhere if you want to teach and would need loans to cover the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lipscomb University worth the cost?
Lipscomb's value depends heavily on your major. Pharmacy graduates earn $119,716 annually, making the $25,610 yearly cost worthwhile, but most other programs lead to modest earnings around $55,541 with below-average graduation rates at 69%.
What are the best paying majors at Lipscomb University?
Pharmacy leads at $119,716 annually, followed by educational administration at $79,473 and accounting at $70,456. Most other business programs hover around $63,000-$66,000, which barely justifies the tuition cost.
How much debt do Lipscomb University graduates have?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable for pharmacy and education graduates but risky for typical business majors earning $55,541. The 31% who don't graduate often carry debt without a degree to show for it.
Does Lipscomb University have good job outcomes?
Job outcomes vary dramatically by program. Pharmacy graduates do well, but the overall 10-year earnings of $55,541 are modest for a private university costing $25,610 annually.