At $22,874/yr net price, Tusculum University graduates earn $44,367/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,367/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,874 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,496 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,367/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,367/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,818/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,160/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,842/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,678/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,388/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,219 | $19,425 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $45,361 | $23,497 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,346 | $24,812 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $39,860 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $39,677 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,009 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,327 | $26,630 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $23,538 | $21,100 |
The Risk Factor
30.5% of students at Tusculum University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Tusculum University's financial picture is weak, and the biggest problem is that most students don't finish. A 30.5% graduation rate and a 58% retention rate mean you have better than even odds of leaving without the degree you borrowed for. Debt doesn't disappear when you drop out, so the risk here is real before you ever reach the earnings question.
If you do graduate, the payoff depends heavily on your major. Nursing is the clear winner, and it's the one field where the salary comfortably clears the debt load you'll carry to get it. Business lands in the middle. The two teacher education tracks pay less, which is typical for education and reflects Tennessee's public-school pay scales more than any failing of the program. Psychology is the one to avoid financially: you'll graduate with the highest debt of any program listed and the lowest earnings, a combination that takes years to dig out of.
The net price tiers are backwards from what you'd expect. Families earning under $48k pay about $18,000 a year, while families earning $75k or more pay closer to $27,000. If your family income is in the middle or upper range, you're paying the most in absolute dollars with no discount to soften it.
Tusculum makes financial sense for you if you're going into nursing and you're confident you'll finish. For that path, the numbers work. If you're drawn to psychology or you're unsure about committing to a four-year finish, the drop-out risk and the debt make this a hard bet. Look at cheaper public options or a community college start before you sign on for the full net price here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tusculum University worth the cost?
Tusculum University's low 30.5% graduation rate and median earnings of $44,367 make it a risky investment for most students. With a net price of $22,874 annually, only specific programs like business administration offer decent returns.
What are the best paying majors at Tusculum University?
Business administration graduates earn around $68,219 annually, making it the strongest ROI program at Tusculum. Nursing graduates earn $45,361, while education programs typically pay under $40,000.
How much debt do Tusculum University graduates have?
Tusculum graduates carry a median debt of $23,250. Given the school's low graduation rate and modest earnings outcomes, this debt level poses significant financial risk for students who don't complete their degree.
Does Tusculum University have good job outcomes?
Tusculum's 10-year median earnings of $44,367 are below average for college graduates. The 30.5% graduation rate means most students never complete their degree, making job outcomes poor for the majority who enroll.