Students at Southern Adventist University achieve reliable long-term financial outcomes, with particularly strong results for low-income students who rank in the top 40% nationally for earnings.
The university's zero percent default rate and solid median earnings reflect successful preparation for stable, well-paying careers in healthcare and other service fields.
Southern Adventist University is a private nonprofit institution in Collegedale, Tennessee, that combines faith-based education with practical career preparation. The university serves a moderately selective student body, with about 31% of students receiving Pell Grants and 18% being first-generation college students. While access is somewhat limited compared to public institutions, Southern Adventist delivers solid long-term outcomes for those who enroll.
Graduates earn a median of $53,723 ten years after enrollment, placing the university around the national average for earnings outcomes. The institution's strength lies particularly in healthcare programs, with nursing serving as a standout field that combines high enrollment with strong career prospects. Adult Health Nursing graduates, the university's largest program with 77 students, earn median salaries of $53,579 and represent the highest aggregate return among the university's offerings.
As a medium-sized private institution, Southern Adventist provides the personalized attention and faith-centered community that many students seek, while maintaining practical focus on career preparation. The university's 51% six-year graduation rate reflects steady progress toward degree completion, and its emphasis on service-oriented fields like healthcare aligns with both its mission and strong employment demand in these sectors.
Southern Adventist University's program portfolio centers on practical, service-oriented fields that lead to stable career outcomes. The university's standout program is Adult Health Nursing, which graduates 77 students annually and represents the highest aggregate return among all offerings. With median earnings of $53,579, nursing graduates enter a field with strong employment demand and clear advancement pathways.
The dominance of healthcare programs reflects Southern Adventist's strategic focus on fields where job security and steady income growth are priorities. Nursing, in particular, benefits from consistent demand across healthcare settings, from hospitals to community health centers, providing graduates with geographic flexibility and career stability. The program's substantial enrollment demonstrates both student interest and the university's capacity to prepare large cohorts for this essential field.
While the university offers programs beyond healthcare, its strength in nursing and related fields creates a clear value proposition for students interested in helping professions. The combination of meaningful work, stable employment, and solid earnings makes these programs attractive to students who prioritize both financial security and service to others. This focus aligns well with the university's mission while providing practical preparation for careers with strong long-term prospects.
Southern Adventist University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $53,723 ten years after enrollment. This performance places the university around the national average for earnings, reflecting steady career preparation across its program portfolio. While earnings don't significantly exceed expectations compared with similar institutions, graduates enter stable, well-paying fields that provide reliable income growth over time.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its healthcare programs, particularly nursing. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the largest program, graduating 77 students, and the highest aggregate return field, with graduates earning median salaries of $53,579. This program exemplifies Southern Adventist's practical approach to career preparation, combining substantial enrollment with strong employment prospects in a field with consistent demand.
The university's focus on service-oriented professions, especially in healthcare, creates pathways to stable middle-class careers. While the institution may not produce the highest-earning graduates compared with research universities or technical schools, it provides reliable preparation for fields where job security and steady income growth are priorities. This approach aligns well with students seeking meaningful work in helping professions while maintaining financial stability.
Affordability at Southern Adventist University varies significantly by family income, as is typical for private institutions. Low-income students pay about $19,100 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $23,907 per year. High-income families see net prices of approximately $29,508, reflecting the university's higher sticker price as a private nonprofit institution.
The university's aid structure provides meaningful support for lower-income students, though costs remain higher than most public alternatives. With about 31% of students receiving Pell Grants, Southern Adventist demonstrates commitment to serving students from modest backgrounds, even as the overall cost structure limits access compared with state universities. The institution's financial aid helps bridge the gap between its private college pricing and students' ability to pay.
Debt levels reflect the higher cost structure, with typical graduates carrying $24,500 in federal student loans and families borrowing an average of $17,553 through Parent PLUS programs. However, the university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully. This combination of higher borrowing but strong repayment performance indicates that while students take on more debt, they typically achieve the earnings needed to service those obligations responsibly.
Southern Adventist University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
