Union University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Union University charges a net price of $27,171/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $108,684. Graduates earn a median $53,990 ten years after entry, $5,630/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 19.3 years — a 20-year net return of $3,916, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Union University's 19.3-year payback ranks #1,052 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 18% of them, and #14 of 91 in Tennessee.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $27,171/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $108,684 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $53,990 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,630/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,714 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 19.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $3,916 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Union University's own numbers. Net price $27,171 × 4 years = $108,684 total. Median earnings $53,990 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,630 a year of premium. $108,684 ÷ $5,630 = 19.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $3,916. 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 Union University students graduate with?
A median $20,714 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $53,990 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Union University students graduate?
66% finish their degree — 34% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $108,684 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $164,673 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Union University expensive compared with other Tennessee colleges?
Its $27,171 net price runs $11,902 above the $15,269 median across the 91 Tennessee colleges we profile, or $47,608 more across the full degree.