Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 29.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 28.5%
- Retention Rate
- 60.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $43,371
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $29,251
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.3%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $310/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 | $90,856 | $41,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,064 | $31,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $55,964 | $47,498 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $52,107 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $51,187 | $28,437 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $50,439 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $49,344 | $49,378 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $49,019 | $31,125 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $48,139 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $43,798 | $45,137 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $42,682 | $118,010 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $39,909 | |
| Agriculture, General. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $26,514 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $25,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $36,848 | $36,250 |
Outcomes Overview
Graduates carry a median debt of $29,251, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 based on median earnings of $43,371 ten years out. Monthly loan payments of $310 consume about 8.6% of typical graduate income. The 53% loan repayment rate suggests many struggle with their debt burden. Southern's strong programs in engineering, nursing, and agriculture typically lead to stable career paths in healthcare, technology, and government sectors. The high employment rate of 96% shows graduates find work, though earnings lag behind national averages for college graduates. Given the relatively high debt load compared to post-graduation earnings, Southern offers an average return on investment.