The University of the South — ROI, Cost & Payback
The University of the South charges a net price of $27,872/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $111,488. Graduates earn a median $64,911 ten years after entry, $16,551/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.7 years — a 20-year net return of $219,532, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
The University of the South's 6.7-year payback ranks #596 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 54% of them, and #7 of 91 in Tennessee.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $27,872/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $111,488 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $64,911 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $16,551/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,855 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $219,532 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on The University of the South's own numbers. Net price $27,872 × 4 years = $111,488 total. Median earnings $64,911 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $16,551 a year of premium. $111,488 ÷ $16,551 = 6.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $219,532. 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 The University of the South students graduate with?
A median $22,855 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $64,911 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of The University of the South students graduate?
80% finish their degree. Spread the $111,488 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $139,360 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is The University of the South expensive compared with other Tennessee colleges?
Its $27,872 net price runs $12,603 above the $15,269 median across the 91 Tennessee colleges we profile, or $50,412 more across the full degree.