Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Belmont University #1268 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $13,099 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 13.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Belmont University sits in the 30.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Belmont University's composite ranking reflects its balance of access and outcomes among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university's graduates achieve meaningful earnings beyond expectations while maintaining strong median earnings four years after enrollment.
Azimuth ranks Belmont University #1268 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 14.0 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University enrolls roughly 7,137 undergraduates. Retention is 86.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 70.7%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Belmont University builds its composite strength on return on investment and earnings outcomes. Azimuth ranks Belmont University #1000 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 32.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,202, placing Belmont University in the 30.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Visual & Performing Arts, a field where graduates move into careers with measurable financial payoff and sustained demand across creative and applied sectors. Access and affordability represent lower-ranked pillars in the composite. Belmont University sits in the 27.8 percentile for access and the 8.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tuition structure and enrollment profile typical of private institutions in this size and mission category. Mobility outcomes sit in the 55.4 percentile. For prospective students weighing Belmont University against peer institutions, the earnings trajectory and program-specific outcomes merit careful review alongside cost and financial aid availability.
Belmont University's published cost of attendance is $62,570. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $22,950, middle-income families pay around $28,009, and higher-income families pay approximately $43,606. Azimuth ranks Belmont University #1303 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Belmont participates in federal need-based aid programs and institutional scholarships to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution's aid application process uses the FAFSA, and families should review Belmont's financial aid page for current merit and need-based scholarship opportunities. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $72,092; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,202, median federal debt of $20,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Belmont University is a strong fit for students drawn to the visual and performing arts who want a private university experience in Nashville, TN. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $56,202, placing Belmont University in the 30.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $13,099 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 13.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 20.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 15.8% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $43,606, with median federal debt at graduation of $20,500. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 95.3% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Visual & Performing Arts fields (38% of degrees). Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes in TN's regional labor market.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Belmont University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Finance and Financial Management Services
21 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
19 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
175 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics
18 graduates
Marketing
21 graduates
Belmont University's program mix centers on visual and performing arts, music, and business — a distinctive portfolio shaped by the institution's Nashville location and creative-industry focus. Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management is the largest program with 411 graduates annually, followed by Nursing, Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, Music, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 1,642 students, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with creative and applied-professional fields. The earnings pattern reflects Belmont University's positioning as a creative-industries university in a major music and entertainment market.
Nursing leads with median four-year earnings of $79,069 from 175 graduates, followed by Biology, General earning $63,792, Design and Applied Arts earning $58,314, Interdisciplinary Studies earning $57,644, and Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management earning $53,893. These programs span both high-mobility direct-to-workforce pathways in business and applied fields and creative-industry pathways where four-year earnings reflect early-career outcomes in music, performance, and media production.
The concentration in Visual & Performing Arts distinguishes Belmont University among nonprofit four-year institutions and shapes graduate outcomes toward creative and entertainment-sector careers. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with labor-market demand in Nashville and national creative industries.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Belmont University's published cost of attendance is $62,570. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $22,950, middle-income families pay around $28,009, and higher-income families pay approximately $43,606.
Azimuth ranks Belmont University #1303 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Belmont participates in federal need-based aid programs and institutional scholarships to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution's aid application process uses the FAFSA, and families should review Belmont's financial aid page for current merit and need-based scholarship opportunities.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $72,092; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,202, median federal debt of $20,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Belmont University earn median 4-year earnings of $56,202, placing Belmont University in the 30.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $13,099 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Belmont University in the 13.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Belmont University #1000 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Belmont University's concentration in Visual & Performing Arts and related creative fields.
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management is the largest program with 411 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $53,893, representing 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 175 students with median 4-year earnings of $79,069, while Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians and Music round out the top programs with 118 and 94 graduates respectively.
These programs collectively shape the institution's earnings profile and reflect the career pathways available to students in creative and performance-oriented disciplines.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hope College Similar quality tier (#34930 ranked) | MI | 79% | $58,427 | #34930 | Compare |
Hawaii Pacific University Similar quality tier (#34970 ranked) | HI | 86% | $59,593 | #34970 | Compare |
Oberlin College Similar quality tier (#33875 ranked) | OH | 34% | $58,343 | #33875 | Compare |
Merrimack College Similar quality tier (#36002 ranked) | MA | 70% | $75,584 | #36002 | Compare |
Harding University Similar quality tier (#33864 ranked) | AR | 71% | $52,876 | #33864 | Compare |
