Degree Dividend
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Belmont University vs Tennessee State University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Nashville TN · vs · Public, Nashville TN

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Belmont University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $132,588 in 17.5 years versus not at all at Tennessee State University, on median earnings of $55,930 vs $42,730 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBelmont UniversityTennessee State University
Net price / yr$33,147$15,796
Total net cost$132,588$63,184
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,930$42,730
Median debt$20,500$27,000
Payback17.5 yrs—
20-year net return$18,812-$175,784

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Belmont University or Tennessee State University?

Tennessee State University, at $15,796 a year after aid versus $33,147 — a gap of $17,351 a year, or $69,404 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Belmont University or Tennessee State University graduates earn more?

Belmont University graduates report a median $55,930 ten years after entry, $13,200 more than the $42,730 at Tennessee State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Belmont University or Tennessee State University?

Belmont University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Tennessee State University, a difference of $6,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Belmont University, against 34% at Tennessee State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Belmont University vs Tennessee State University: frequently asked questions

Is Belmont University or Tennessee State University a better value?
Belmont University. It clears its $132,588 net cost in about 17.5 years versus no clear payback at Tennessee State University, on median earnings of $55,930 vs $42,730 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Belmont University or Tennessee State University?
Tennessee State University: $15,796/yr net price after aid versus $33,147/yr at Belmont University — a difference of $17,351 a year, or about $69,404 over four years.
Do Belmont University or Tennessee State University graduates earn more?
Belmont University graduates earn a median $55,930 ten years after entry, versus $42,730 at Tennessee State University — a $13,200 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.