Students at Milligan University benefit from exceptional debt management outcomes, with zero federal loan defaults reflecting the institution's commitment to preparing graduates for financial stability.
The university's nursing program stands out with strong earnings potential, while the intimate campus environment ensures personalized attention throughout the college experience.
Milligan University is a small private Christian institution in Tennessee that emphasizes personal attention and faith-based education. With just over 1,000 students, the university creates an intimate learning environment where students receive individualized support and mentorship. The institution serves a moderately selective student body, with about 23% of students receiving Pell Grants and nearly 32% being first-generation college students.
Graduates earn a median of $46,641 ten years after enrollment, placing the university around the national average for earnings outcomes. While overall earnings performance is typical, certain programs like nursing show much stronger financial returns. The university's strength lies in its ability to provide a supportive, values-driven education that prepares students for meaningful careers in service-oriented fields.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Milligan demonstrates solid outcomes for the students it enrolls, though access remains more limited compared to larger public universities. The combination of Christian mission, small size, and program focus makes it particularly appealing to students who prioritize community, faith integration, and personalized education over purely financial considerations.
Milligan University's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven focus on healthcare and service-oriented careers. The Adult Health Nursing program represents the institution's strongest financial return, combining meaningful enrollment with graduates earning nearly $50,000 ten years out. This program exemplifies Milligan's strength in preparing students for stable, well-compensated healthcare careers that align with the university's service mission.
Business Administration enrolls the largest number of students with 38 graduates, though early-career earnings around $26,353 are more modest. This pattern is typical for business programs, where earnings often accelerate significantly in mid-career as graduates advance into management roles. The university's small scale means each program maintains low student-to-faculty ratios, allowing for personalized attention and mentorship that can be particularly valuable for career development.
As a focused institution, Milligan graduates a selective cohort each year, which creates tight-knit alumni networks particularly strong in healthcare and faith-based organizations throughout the Southeast. This concentrated approach means graduates often benefit from strong connections within their chosen fields, even if the overall network size is smaller than larger universities.
Milligan University graduates achieve moderate long-term earnings, with a median of $46,641 ten years after enrollment. This places the institution around the national average for post-graduation financial outcomes. While overall earnings are typical, the university shows notable variation by field of study, with healthcare programs significantly outperforming the institutional average.
The strongest financial returns come from the university's nursing program, where graduates earn around $49,840 ten years out—substantially higher than the institutional median. Adult Health Nursing represents the highest aggregate return program, combining solid enrollment with strong earnings outcomes. Business Administration, while the largest program with 38 graduates, shows more modest early-career earnings at around $26,353, reflecting the typical pattern where business majors often see earnings growth accelerate later in their careers. The university's focus on healthcare and service-oriented fields means many graduates enter stable, recession-resistant career paths, even if starting salaries are moderate compared to technology or finance-focused institutions.
Milligan University's affordability varies significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay a net price of about $12,172 annually, which represents strong value given the private university setting and small class sizes. Middle-income families face higher costs at around $20,830 per year, while high-income families pay approximately $25,534 annually—still below the sticker price due to merit aid and institutional grants.
Most students graduate with manageable debt levels relative to the private university sector. Typical federal student loan debt is about $25,219, which aligns with national averages for private institutions. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $21,225, reflecting families' willingness to invest in the personalized education and Christian mission that Milligan provides. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully despite moderate starting salaries in many fields.
Milligan University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
