Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 54.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 54.0%
- Retention Rate
- 77.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $48,541
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 49.7%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $212/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $85,760 | $39,834 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $67,101 | $27,500 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $66,541 | $17,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $66,104 | $20,750 |
| Psychology, General. | Master | $59,485 | $31,136 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Bachelor | $58,943 | $19,402 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | Master | $57,995 | $24,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $57,860 | $20,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $55,061 | $25,696 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $54,192 | $21,198 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $50,606 | $25,881 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $47,729 | $26,274 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $46,193 | $21,506 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $44,971 | $25,789 |
Outcomes Overview
Graduates typically earn $48,541 ten years after leaving MTSU, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 41% with median debt at $20,000. Monthly loan payments of $212 consume about 5% of typical graduate income, which falls below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong programs in mass communications and music business often lead graduates into media, entertainment, and aerospace industries where starting salaries can vary widely. Many alumni find work in Nashville's thriving music scene or Tennessee's growing tech sector. The 95.2% employment rate demonstrates solid job placement success. Given the manageable debt load and diverse career pathways, MTSU offers an average return on investment.