At $12,599/yr net price, Middle Tennessee State University graduates earn $48,541/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,541/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,599 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $50,396 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,541/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,541/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,371/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,462/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,840/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,052/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,620/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
54.0% of students at Middle Tennessee State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Middle Tennessee State University gives you a moderate financial return with low risk. You pay around $12,600 a year and leave with median debt of $20,000, which lines up closely with the median earnings of a graduate after ten years. That debt-to-earnings ratio is the strong part of this school's picture. The weak part is the 54% graduation rate, which is your biggest financial risk here.
Your major decides everything at MTSU. Construction Management pays the best and comes with some of the lowest debt on the list, so you graduate ahead on both sides. Engineering-Related Fields and Computer Science also clear the median earnings by a wide margin. Nursing pays well too, but you take on more debt to get there, so your net gain shrinks. Engineering Technology is the weak spot: it pays the least of the top five while loading on the most debt, which is a bad combination.
The graduation rate is the risk you should weigh most. With just over half of students finishing and 78% coming back after freshman year, there's a real chance you pay for years without earning the degree that makes the numbers work. Debt with no credential is the worst outcome, and that path is open here.
If you come from a family earning under $48,000, MTSU is affordable, with a net price under $9,500 a year. If your family earns over $75,000, you pay around $17,000 a year, close to double the lowest tier. This school fits you if you can commit to a paying major like Construction Management, engineering, or Computer Science and finish on time. If you're drawn to lower-earning fields or unsure you'll graduate, the math gets thin fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Middle Tennessee State University worth the cost?
Middle Tennessee State University offers decent value with a net price of $12,599 and median debt of $20,000, but the 10-year earnings of $48,541 are below national averages. The 54% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who don't graduate.
What are the highest paying programs at Middle Tennessee State University?
Nursing programs at MTSU offer the best ROI with graduates earning around $85,760 annually. Business administration ($67,101) and construction management ($66,541) also provide solid returns that justify the investment.
How much debt do Middle Tennessee State University graduates typically have?
MTSU graduates carry a median debt of $20,000, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, this assumes you graduate - the 54% graduation rate means many students accumulate debt without earning a degree.
Does Middle Tennessee State University have good financial aid?
The net price of $12,599 per year suggests decent financial aid availability, making MTSU affordable for in-state students. This relatively low cost helps offset the below-average post-graduation earnings for many programs.