Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Middle Tennessee State University vary significantly by field of study. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market.
Analyzing 60 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Middle Tennessee State University.
Computer Science leads this group with $76,044 median earnings, ranking #135 nationally and #4 in Tennessee. The program produces 76 graduates annually with moderate value scores, reflecting solid career preparation in technical fields.
Students pursuing this path typically benefit from strong long-term earning potential and consistent industry demand for technical skills.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | — | $96,485★ | — | 83 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes, not academic reputation or prestige. Earnings data comes from federal College Scorecard records tracking graduates 10 years after enrollment, with programs requiring minimum cohort sizes for statistical reliability. Rankings compare identical programs across all institutions nationally and within Tennessee. Value scores integrate earnings, debt, and career preparation measures to assess return on investment. Outcomes vary within programs based on individual career choices, geographic location, and additional credentials. Students should use these outcomes as one factor in program selection, recognizing that personal fit, interests, and career goals remain essential considerations in academic planning.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering. | — | $92,533 | — | 44 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | — | $83,405 | — | 43 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General. | — | $80,541 | — | 22 |
Business programs show varied outcomes, with Information Resources Management leading at $64,340 (#38 nationally, #1 in Tennessee) and Business Administration producing $52,150 with strong enrollment of 192 students. Digital Marketing and Accounting programs also demonstrate solid earning potential.
This group is well-suited for students prioritizing versatile career preparation with manageable debt levels.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management. | — | $98,967★ | — | 51 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | — | $75,044 | — | 74 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | — | $73,702 | — | 81 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | — | $66,701 | — | 94 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | — | $63,928 | $8,419 | 218 |
| Marketing. | — | $60,217 | — | 84 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations.Small sample | — | $45,464 | — | 12 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | — | $40,100 | — | 24 |
| Business/Managerial Economics.Small sample | — | $38,289 | — | 8 |
Adult Health Nursing leads health programs with $63,829 median earnings, ranking #246 nationally but demonstrating solid career preparation with 85 graduates annually. The program offers direct pathway to healthcare careers with strong job security and moderate debt levels.
Students seeking stable healthcare careers benefit from consistent employment demand.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | — | $75,061★ | — | 89 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | — | $56,781 | — | 37 |
| Public Health. | — | $46,320 | — | 36 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.Small sample | — | $45,972 | — | 14 |
Biology, General stands out with $46,822 median earnings, ranking #135 nationally and #1 in Tennessee while producing 140 graduates annually. The program combines moderate earnings with low debt levels ($6,500) and strong value scores (63.6).
Students in this field typically pursue graduate school continuation or direct workforce entry in healthcare and research sectors.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics.Small sample | — | $69,300★ | — | 17 |
| Physics.Small sample | — | $69,192 | — | 8 |
| Biology, General. | — | $56,659 | $6,500 | 141 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | — | $56,405 | — | 21 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | — | $49,543 | — | 40 |
| Chemistry.Small sample | — | $35,420 | — | 9 |
Psychology, General produces $35,287 median earnings with 221 graduates annually, representing one of the university's largest programs. Exercise Science shows stronger outcomes at $42,215 with good value scores.
These programs serve students seeking human services careers, though earnings vary significantly by specialization and career path.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.Small sample | — | $55,031★ | — | 18 |
| Political Science and Government. | — | $50,169 | — | 63 |
| Sociology.Small sample | — | $48,276 | — | 13 |
| Social Work. | — | $45,451 | — | 69 |
| Psychology, General. | — | $43,826 | $14,791 | 218 |
| Economics.Small sample | — | $42,701 | — | 9 |
| Anthropology.Small sample | — | $38,727 | — | 12 |
Communication programs show varied outcomes, with general Communication and Media Studies earning $37,594 while Broadcast Journalism produces $30,659. Both programs graduate substantial cohorts (172 and 122 students respectively) and offer creative career pathways.
Students should expect varied earnings potential depending on specialization and geographic location.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journalism. | — | $49,932★ | $12,495 | 71 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | — | $45,155 | $9,900 | 104 |
General Studies ranks #39 nationally with $45,804 median earnings and exceptional value scores (79.0), graduating 219 students annually. Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management earns $34,004 while ranking #5 nationally in the field.
These programs offer flexibility and broad preparation, though earnings outcomes vary based on career specialization.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | — | $54,747★ | $9,474 | 93 |
| History. | — | $51,206 | — | 42 |
| Design and Applied Arts.Small sample | — | $50,184 | — | 16 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | — | $47,105 | — | 51 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. | — | $46,349 | $25,885 | 106 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | — | $44,760 | — | 62 |
| Music. | — | $43,999 | $15,339 | 136 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | — | $43,666 | — | 37 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | — | $37,274 | — | 66 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.Small sample | — | $33,179 | — | 16 |
| Philosophy.Small sample | — | $26,353 | — | 12 |
Adult and Continuing Education produces $39,987 median earnings with 110 graduates, ranking #156 nationally in the field. Education programs typically lead to public service careers with stable employment and moderate earnings growth.
Students prioritizing service-oriented careers and job security find these pathways appealing despite moderate earning levels.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Small sample | — | $57,543★ | — | 5 |
| Special Education and Teaching.Small sample | — | $47,239 | — | 8 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | — | $46,252 | — | 106 |
Agricultural Business and Management. leads agriculture & environment with 54K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management.Small sample | — | $53,648★ | — | 17 |
| Animal Sciences. | — | $41,965 | — | 44 |
| Plant Sciences.Small sample | — | $25,281 | — | 13 |
Corrections Administration demonstrates strong outcomes with $46,241 median earnings, ranking #88 nationally and #1 in Tennessee with 118 graduates annually. The program offers direct pathways to public safety careers with stable employment and moderate debt levels.
Students seeking law enforcement and corrections careers benefit from established industry connections.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | — | $55,481★ | $9,370 | 123 |
| Security Science and Technology.Small sample | — | $39,956 | — | 15 |
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies leads with $38,553 median earnings, ranking #53 nationally and #3 in Tennessee while producing the university's largest cohort of 238 graduates. Parks, Recreation & Fitness (Exercise Science) shows $42,215 earnings with good career prospects.
These programs serve students seeking flexible, broad-based education with varied career applications.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation. | — | $80,424★ | $41,700 | 205 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | — | $56,293 | — | 49 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. | — | $54,070 | — | 37 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | — | $49,997 | $11,000 | 259 |
| International/Globalization Studies.Small sample | — | $49,637 | — | 7 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | — | $48,608 | $11,723 | 150 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management. | — | $46,796 | $8,581 | 34 |
| Apparel and Textiles. | — | $45,225 | — | 23 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies. | — | $39,268 | — | 40 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
