Middle Tennessee State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Middle Tennessee State University charges a net price of $13,359/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $53,436. Graduates earn a median $48,541 ten years after entry, $181/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 295.2 years — a 20-year net return of -$49,816, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Middle Tennessee State University's 295.2-year payback ranks #1,264 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 1% of them, and #19 of 91 in Tennessee.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $13,359/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $53,436 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,541 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $181/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 295.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$49,816 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Middle Tennessee State University's own numbers. Net price $13,359 × 4 years = $53,436 total. Median earnings $48,541 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $181 a year of premium. $53,436 ÷ $181 = 295.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$49,816. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with?
A median $20,000 in federal loans among completers, or 41% of the $48,541 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Middle Tennessee State University students graduate?
54% finish their degree — 46% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $53,436 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $98,956 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Middle Tennessee State University expensive compared with other Tennessee colleges?
Its $13,359 net price runs $1,910 below the $15,269 median across the 91 Tennessee colleges we profile, and $7,640 less across the full degree.