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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Baptist Health Sciences University: which has better ROI?

Public, Knoxville TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Memphis TN

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

The verdict

Baptist Health Sciences University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $44,848 in 1.9 years versus 6.4 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, on median earnings of $72,529 vs $60,249 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBaptist Health Sciences University
Net price / yr$18,976$11,212
Total net cost$75,904$44,848
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,249$72,529
Median debt$20,500$29,500
Payback6.4 yrs1.9 yrs
20-year net return$161,876$438,532

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

Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Baptist Health Sciences University?

Baptist Health Sciences University, at $11,212 a year after aid versus $18,976 — a gap of $7,764 a year, or $31,056 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-Knoxville or Baptist Health Sciences University graduates earn more?

Baptist Health Sciences University graduates report a median $72,529 ten years after entry, $12,280 more than the $60,249 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. 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-Knoxville or Baptist Health Sciences University?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $29,500 at Baptist Health Sciences University, a difference of $9,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, against 40% at Baptist Health Sciences 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.

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Baptist Health Sciences University: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Baptist Health Sciences University a better value?
Baptist Health Sciences University. It clears its $44,848 net cost in about 1.9 years versus 6.4 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, on median earnings of $72,529 vs $60,249 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Baptist Health Sciences University?
Baptist Health Sciences University: $11,212/yr net price after aid versus $18,976/yr at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — a difference of $7,764 a year, or about $31,056 over four years.
Do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Baptist Health Sciences University graduates earn more?
Baptist Health Sciences University graduates earn a median $72,529 ten years after entry, versus $60,249 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — a $12,280 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.