The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga vs Union University: which has better ROI?
Union University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $108,684 in 19.3 years versus 20.4 years at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, on median earnings of $53,990 vs $51,151 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Union University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,265 | $27,171 |
| Total net cost | $57,060 | $108,684 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,151 | $53,990 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $20,714 |
| Payback | 20.4 yrs | 19.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$1,240 | $3,916 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga or Union University?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, at $14,265 a year after aid versus $27,171 — a gap of $12,906 a year, or $51,624 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga or Union University graduates earn more?
Union University graduates report a median $53,990 ten years after entry, $2,839 more than the $51,151 at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. 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, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga or Union University?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,714 at Union University, a difference of $1,214. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Union University, against 50% at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. 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.