Compare 21 Sports Studies. programs in Tennessee. Average earnings: $38,014.
Sports Studies programs produce graduates earning between $27,342 and $65,830—a $38K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 21 ranked programs in Tennessee, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Milligan University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $65,830, significantly above the state average of $38,014. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville follows at $50,183, proving that both small private colleges and major state universities can excel when programs are evaluated individually rather than by institutional brand.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Milligan University graduates borrow $25,219 and face just an 8.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, graduates can pay off their entire student debt with about 4.5 months of salary.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Milligan UniversityPrivate | $65,830 | 28 | $25,219 | Excellent | $36,972 | Challenging |
| #2 | $50,183 | 413 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | High | |
| #3 | Freed-Hardeman UniversityPrivate | $43,401 | 13 | $21,500 | Manageable | $19,230 | High |
| #4 | University Of MemphisPublic | $42,763 | 393 | $23,300 | Manageable | $15,393 | High |
| #5 | $42,714 | 100 | $21,024 | Manageable | $13,218 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $42,215 | 138 | $20,000 | Manageable | $14,229 | High | |
| #7 | $41,800 | 191 | $19,500 | Manageable | $17,353 | High | |
| #8 | Union UniversityPrivate | $40,297 | 14 | $20,714 | Manageable | $20,000 | High |
| #9 | $39,681 | 96 | $15,650 | Manageable | $11,640 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $38,191 | 31 | $20,000 | Manageable | $22,585 | High | |
| #11 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | $37,714 | 42 | $20,500 | Challenging | $72,092 | High |
| #12 | $37,275 | 152 | $19,442 | Challenging | $16,938 | High | |
| #13 | $36,870 | 194 | $20,547 | Challenging | $14,710 | High | |
| #14 | $36,722 | 50 | $27,000 | High | $18,771 | High | |
| #15 | Lincoln Memorial UniversityPrivate | $32,919 | 25 | $20,000 | High | $14,000 | High |
| #16 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | $31,638 | 16 | $27,249 | High | $10,872 | High |
| #17 | Tusculum UniversityPrivate | $30,857 | 43 | $23,250 | High | $14,951 | High |
| #18 | Carson-Newman UniversityPrivate | $29,685 | 30 | $21,500 | High | $17,541 | High |
| #19 | $28,069 | 20 | $21,500 | High | $15,767 | High | |
| #20 | Bryan College-DaytonPrivate | $27,342 | 23 | $23,000 | High | $16,924 | High |
| #21 | Lee UniversityPrivate | $22,135 | 24 | $25,750 | High | $24,000 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
