Fisk University offers the distinctive experience of a historically Black institution with close-knit community and cultural significance that many students find personally transformative.
However, families should carefully weigh the higher costs against more modest earnings outcomes when making their college investment decision.
Fisk University is a small private historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee, serving about 48% Pell Grant recipients and 27% first-generation college students. As an HBCU with deep cultural significance and a close-knit campus community, Fisk offers an educational experience that many students find personally transformative, though the financial outcomes are more modest than at many other institutions.
Graduates earn a median of $45,454 ten years after enrollment, which places Fisk in the lower portion of national earnings outcomes. The university faces challenges common to smaller private institutions, including higher costs and more variable post-graduation financial results. About 44% of students complete their degree within six years, with completion rates for Pell recipients running somewhat lower.
For students drawn to Fisk's mission, history, and community, the university provides access to a distinctive educational environment. However, families should carefully consider the financial investment relative to likely earnings outcomes, as the combination of higher net prices and modest graduate earnings requires thoughtful planning around debt and career expectations.
Due to Fisk University's small size, detailed program-level earnings data is limited in the available metrics. The university traditionally has strengths in liberal arts, education, business, and social sciences, reflecting its mission as a historically Black institution focused on developing leaders and serving communities. Students often pursue careers in education, social work, nonprofit management, and other service-oriented fields that align with the university's values.
While these career paths may not generate the highest immediate earnings, they often provide meaningful work and opportunities for long-term professional development. Prospective students should research specific programs directly with the university to understand current offerings, faculty expertise, and career placement support. The small class sizes and close faculty relationships that characterize Fisk can provide valuable mentorship and networking opportunities that may not be reflected in purely financial metrics.
Graduates of Fisk University see modest long-term earnings compared with national averages. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $45,454, which places the university in the bottom quartile nationally for graduate earnings. This reflects both the challenges facing smaller private institutions and the reality that many Fisk graduates enter fields like education, social work, and nonprofit sectors that typically offer lower starting salaries but meaningful career satisfaction.
The university's small size means that detailed program-level data is limited, but graduates often pursue careers in education, business, social services, and other fields that align with Fisk's mission of service and community engagement. While these career paths may not generate the highest immediate earnings, they often provide stability and opportunities for long-term professional growth. The earnings trajectory shows that financial outcomes can improve over time as graduates gain experience and advance in their chosen fields.
Affordability at Fisk University presents significant challenges for most families. Low-income students pay about $21,410 per year after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $27,075 annually, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,281. These net prices are substantially higher than what most public universities charge, reflecting the premium associated with private education and the university's smaller scale.
Debt levels are concerning relative to typical graduate earnings. Students typically leave with about $27,000 in federal loan debt, and families often take on an additional $31,193 in Parent PLUS loans. With median graduate earnings around $45,454, the total debt burden can create financial strain that requires careful management. The combination of higher upfront costs and modest post-graduation earnings means families need to plan carefully and consider whether the investment aligns with their financial capacity and career goals.
Fisk University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
