Students at Lipscomb University achieve earnings outcomes that place the institution in the top quarter nationally, with particularly strong results for low-income graduates who reach the top 20% for post-graduation earnings.
The university's focus on professional programs and Nashville location create consistent pathways to solid financial outcomes across business and healthcare fields.
Lipscomb University delivers strong long-term earnings outcomes that place it in the top 25% nationally among similar institutions, though access remains limited for low-income students. Located in Nashville, this private Christian university combines the intimate feel of a mid-sized campus with the career advantages of a major metropolitan area. Nearly 69% of students complete their degrees within six years, and graduates earn a median of $55,541 ten years after enrollment.
What distinguishes Lipscomb is its focus on professional preparation, particularly in business and healthcare fields that connect directly to Nashville's growing economy. Business Administration graduates earn around $58,221 ten years out, while nursing graduates see median earnings of $53,080 in a field with strong job security and advancement potential. The university's location provides access to major healthcare systems, financial services, and corporate headquarters that actively recruit from the campus.
As a private institution, Lipscomb serves a more selective student population, with about 21% receiving Pell Grants and 24% being first-generation college students. While this limits broad access, students who do enroll benefit from smaller class sizes, extensive alumni networks in professional fields, and the advantages of Nashville's robust job market for early career placement and long-term advancement.
Lipscomb University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that align directly with Nashville's economic strengths, particularly business and healthcare. Business Administration leads both in scale and economic impact, graduating 78 students annually with median earnings of $58,221 ten years out. This program benefits from Nashville's concentration of corporate headquarters, financial services, and entrepreneurial activity that creates diverse career pathways for graduates.
Healthcare programs form another cornerstone of Lipscomb's offerings, with Adult Health Nursing graduating 41 students who earn median salaries of $53,080. This reflects Nashville's position as a major healthcare hub, home to HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and numerous specialty medical facilities that actively recruit nursing graduates. The strong demand for healthcare professionals in the region provides job security and advancement opportunities that contribute to consistent earnings growth.
Accounting rounds out the top-earning programs with graduates earning $54,697, benefiting from Nashville's business-friendly environment and the need for financial professionals across industries. The university's focus on these practical, career-oriented fields, combined with its location in a major metropolitan area, creates a pipeline from classroom to professional success that serves both students and the broader Nashville economy.
Graduates of Lipscomb University achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, earning a median of $55,541 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the top 25% nationally for graduate earnings. The university's location in Nashville provides access to diverse career opportunities in healthcare, business, music industry, and technology sectors, contributing to consistent post-graduation employment and earnings growth over time.
Business Administration stands out as Lipscomb's highest aggregate-return program, graduating 78 students annually with median earnings of $58,221 ten years out. This combination of substantial enrollment and strong pay makes it a key economic driver for the institution. Adult Health Nursing, the university's largest program by footprint with 41 graduates, produces median earnings of $53,080, reflecting the strong demand for healthcare professionals in Nashville's expanding medical sector. Accounting graduates earn around $54,697, benefiting from the city's concentration of financial services and corporate headquarters.
The university's professional focus and Nashville location create advantages for career development and networking. Graduates benefit from the city's diverse economy, which includes major healthcare systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA Healthcare, financial services companies, and a growing technology sector that provides multiple pathways for career advancement and earnings growth.
Affordability at Lipscomb University reflects its private institution pricing structure, with net costs that are higher than typical public universities but include substantial financial aid for many students. Low-income students pay about $21,886 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $23,820 per year. High-income families face net prices of approximately $30,873, which represents the full private tuition experience but remains competitive with similar private Christian universities.
The university provides meaningful financial aid that helps bridge the gap between sticker price and actual family costs. Most students who need to borrow graduate with federal loan debt of about $19,500, a manageable level given the strong earnings outcomes Lipscomb graduates achieve. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $25,313, reflecting the reality that many families at private institutions contribute directly to educational costs through a combination of savings, current income, and strategic borrowing.
What makes Lipscomb's pricing sustainable is the combination of strong graduate earnings and Nashville's reasonable cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas. With median earnings near $55,541 ten years after graduation, most borrowers can handle standard loan repayment comfortably while building careers in Nashville's growing economy.
Lipscomb University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
