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Southern Adventist University vs Trevecca Nazarene University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Collegedale TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Nashville TN

The verdict

Southern Adventist University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,380 in 18.2 years versus 66.1 years at Trevecca Nazarene University, on median earnings of $53,723 vs $49,378 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthern Adventist UniversityTrevecca Nazarene University
Net price / yr$24,345$16,813
Total net cost$97,380$67,252
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,723$49,378
Median debt$24,500$18,744
Payback18.2 yrs66.1 yrs
20-year net return$9,880-$46,892

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

Which is cheaper, Southern Adventist University or Trevecca Nazarene University?

Trevecca Nazarene University, at $16,813 a year after aid versus $24,345 — a gap of $7,532 a year, or $30,128 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southern Adventist University or Trevecca Nazarene University graduates earn more?

Southern Adventist University graduates report a median $53,723 ten years after entry, $4,345 more than the $49,378 at Trevecca Nazarene 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, Southern Adventist University or Trevecca Nazarene University?

Trevecca Nazarene University: its completers carry a median $18,744 in federal loans versus $24,500 at Southern Adventist University, a difference of $5,756. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Trevecca Nazarene University, against 49% at Southern Adventist 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.

Southern Adventist University vs Trevecca Nazarene University: frequently asked questions

Is Southern Adventist University or Trevecca Nazarene University a better value?
Southern Adventist University. It clears its $97,380 net cost in about 18.2 years versus 66.1 years at Trevecca Nazarene University, on median earnings of $53,723 vs $49,378 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Southern Adventist University or Trevecca Nazarene University?
Trevecca Nazarene University: $16,813/yr net price after aid versus $24,345/yr at Southern Adventist University — a difference of $7,532 a year, or about $30,128 over four years.
Do Southern Adventist University or Trevecca Nazarene University graduates earn more?
Southern Adventist University graduates earn a median $53,723 ten years after entry, versus $49,378 at Trevecca Nazarene University — a $4,345 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.