Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 13.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 21.4%
- Retention Rate
- 42.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $34,421
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,123
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- 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. | Master | $91,613 | $59,405 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,883 | $23,592 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $45,207 | $41,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,489 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $42,799 | $46,193 |
| 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 |
| Legal Support Services. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $44,464 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,836 | $44,548 |
Outcomes Overview
Graduates leave with a median debt of $26,123 and earn $34,421 ten years later, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 76%. Monthly loan payments of $277 consume about 10% of typical graduate income. Only 25% of borrowers successfully repay their loans. The school primarily serves students pursuing healthcare and business careers, fields where South University's for-profit model competes against community colleges offering similar programs at lower costs. Women make up 80% of enrollment, reflecting the school's focus on nursing and allied health programs. With a 21% six-year graduation rate and earnings below the national average for college graduates, this represents a weak return on investment for most students.