Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Carson-Newman University #1146 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,447 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Carson-Newman University in the 51.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Carson-Newman University #1043 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Carson-Newman University #1146 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Jefferson City, TN, Carson-Newman University enrolls roughly 1,387 undergraduates. Retention is 74.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 53.2%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional private institution. Where Carson-Newman University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Carson-Newman University #1043 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,936, and Carson-Newman University sits in the 51.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio, anchored in Business, delivers outcomes that outperform comparable regional institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Carson-Newman University sits in the 19.3 percentile for access and the 60.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 19.9 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For prospective students evaluating Carson-Newman University, the strongest case rests on the earnings trajectory and value delivered relative to the institution's cost structure — a profile that rewards students focused on clear financial outcomes from their degree.
Carson-Newman University's published cost of attendance is $49,024. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,672, middle-income families pay around $17,313, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,621. Azimuth ranks Carson-Newman University #569 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. Carson-Newman participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. The institution's aid structure combines need-based scholarships with merit-based aid, allowing families to compare net cost across different income levels. For families evaluating affordability, the contrast between sticker price and actual net price matters significantly — net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and Carson-Newman's aid packages reflect that gap. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,541; 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 $53,936, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Carson-Newman University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a private university experience in TN, South. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,936, placing Carson-Newman University in the 13.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $1,447 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 51.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls 33.4% of undergraduates as Pell recipients and 34.7% as first-generation students, with a 49.5% Pell graduation rate. Published cost of attendance is $28,621, and median federal debt at graduation is $21,500. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 90.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find solid outcomes relative to TN's no-degree baseline of $31,130.
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
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This is the Carson-Newman University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Carson-Newman University's published cost of attendance is $49,024. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,672, middle-income families pay around $17,313, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,621.
Azimuth ranks Carson-Newman University #569 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.
Carson-Newman participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. The institution's aid structure combines need-based scholarships with merit-based aid, allowing families to compare net cost across different income levels.
For families evaluating affordability, the contrast between sticker price and actual net price matters significantly — [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and Carson-Newman's aid packages reflect that gap. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,541; 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 $53,936, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 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 Carson-Newman University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,936, placing Carson-Newman University in the 13.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Carson-Newman University sits in the 51.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Carson-Newman University #1043 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Carson-Newman's concentration in business and applied professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 52 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $64,503, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 47 students earning $70,769 four years after enrollment, while Kinesiology and Psychology, General round out the top program lineup with 46 and 26 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor Carson-Newman's return profile and reflect the institution's focus on fields with direct workforce pathways and stable employer demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hampton University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#31153 ranked) | VA | 62% | $59,159 | #31153 | Compare |
Tougaloo College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#31150 ranked) | MS | 60% | $34,724 | #31150 | Compare |
Spring Arbor University Similar quality tier (#31154 ranked) | MI | 52% | $51,732 | #31154 | Compare |
Biola University Similar quality tier (#31669 ranked) | CA | 74% | $56,778 | #31669 | Compare |
Franklin Pierce University Similar quality tier (#30629 ranked) | NH | 93% | $53,353 | #30629 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
47 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
13 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
52 graduates
Psychology, Other
5 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
11 graduates
Carson-Newman University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts university in Tennessee. Business Administration is the largest program with 52 graduates, followed by Nursing, Kinesiology, Psychology, General, and Biology, General.
The institution offers 22 programs across 348 students annually, with 0 programs meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold. Among the highest-earning programs, Nursing leads with median earnings of $70,769 four years after enrollment across 47 graduates.
Accounting follows with median earnings of $64,634 for 13 graduates, and Business Administration delivers median earnings of $64,503 across 52 graduates. These earnings patterns reflect the institution's concentration in Business and related professional fields, where graduates enter the workforce directly into stable, in-demand roles.
The program portfolio emphasizes applied professional preparation and career readiness. Business Administration and Nursing together account for a substantial share of the institution's degree output, positioning Carson-Newman University as a source of graduates prepared for regional and national labor markets in business, accounting, management, and related fields.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with current workforce demand.
