University of Memphis vs Southwest Tennessee Community College: which has better ROI?
University of Memphis has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,588 in 506 years versus not at all at Southwest Tennessee Community College, on median earnings of $48,458 vs $34,071 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Memphis | Southwest Tennessee Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,397 | $4,754 |
| Total net cost | $49,588 | $9,508 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,458 | $34,071 |
| Median debt | $23,300 | — |
| Payback | 506 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$47,628 | -$295,288 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Memphis or Southwest Tennessee Community College?
Southwest Tennessee Community College, at $4,754 a year after aid versus $12,397 — a gap of $7,643 a year, or $40,080 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Memphis or Southwest Tennessee Community College graduates earn more?
University of Memphis graduates report a median $48,458 ten years after entry, $14,387 more than the $34,071 at Southwest Tennessee Community College. 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 graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at University of Memphis, against 19% at Southwest Tennessee Community College. 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.