Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 21.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 13.6%
- Retention Rate
- 25.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $34,421
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,123
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 25.5%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $277/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. | Certificate | $98,736 | $46,988 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,613 | $59,405 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,883 | $23,592 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $60,839 | $43,847 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $45,207 | $41,000 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $44,418 | $45,268 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,489 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $42,799 | $46,193 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $41,007 | $52,542 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,986 | $46,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $37,478 | $41,000 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $36,598 | $62,262 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $34,420 | $42,354 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $33,616 | $39,675 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $31,133 | $25,936 |
Outcomes Overview
Graduates face a challenging financial reality with median debt of $26,123 against starting earnings of $34,421, creating a debt-to-income ratio of 76%. Monthly loan payments of $277 consume nearly 10% of typical graduate income, well above the recommended 8% threshold. The 25% loan repayment rate signals widespread financial distress among alumni. South University focuses on career-oriented programs like healthcare and business, fields that typically offer stable employment. The 94.7% employment rate shows graduates do find work. However, with 10-year median earnings of $34,421 remaining relatively flat, income growth appears limited. Given the high debt burden, modest earning potential, and poor repayment rates, this represents a weak return on investment.