Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #1086 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,880 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 21.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Southern Adventist University sits in the 33.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Azimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #1086 for overall value among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting balanced performance across access and mobility pillars. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $58,282, supporting sustainable financial outcomes for graduates.
Azimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #1086 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Collegedale, Tennessee, Southern Adventist University enrolls roughly 2,773 undergraduates. Retention stands at 82.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 49.4%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a private master's institution. Southern Adventist University delivers meaningful returns on investment anchored in health-focused programming. Azimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #1012 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,880 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern Adventist University in the 21.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Health fields — where employer demand remains strong and career pathways are well-defined — supports consistent post-graduation outcomes that exceed those of similar institutions. Access remains a strength relative to the composite. 30.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 18.2% are first-generation college students, positioning Southern Adventist University as an accessible option within the private nonprofit sector. Azimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #1012 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility and affordability sit lower in the composite, reflecting the pricing and outcomes patterns typical of private institutions with regional labor-market focus. For students prioritizing strong health-sector outcomes and institutional accessibility, Southern Adventist University offers a coherent value proposition grounded in program specificity and completion support.
Southern Adventist University's published cost of attendance is $38,618. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $19,123, middle-income families pay around $22,849, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,751. Azimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #956 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. Southern Adventist's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and institutional loan options. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs. The affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry: net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,600; 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 $58,282, median federal debt of $24,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $277 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Southern Adventist University is a strong fit for students drawn to health professions and related fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in TN, South. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,282, placing Southern Adventist University in the 33.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $9,880 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern Adventist University in the 21.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 30.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 18.2% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Southern Adventist University in the 58.3 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 65.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
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
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Southern Adventist 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.
Southern Adventist University's published cost of attendance is $38,618. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $19,123, middle-income families pay around $22,849, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,751.
Azimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #956 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.
Southern Adventist's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and institutional loan options. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs.
The affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry: net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,600; 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 $58,282, median federal debt of $24,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $277 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 Southern Adventist University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,282, placing Southern Adventist University in the 33.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,880 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southern Adventist University in the 21.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Southern Adventist University #1012 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's concentration in health-related fields, where employer demand and salary progression remain strong through the early career years.
The earnings pattern centers on Health as the dominant program family. Nursing is the largest program with 83 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $83,525, at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
Business Administration enrolls 32 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $48,307 at 0.7x benchmark. Biology, General and Theological and Ministerial Studies round out the top programs by enrollment, while Teacher Education with 18 graduates earns median 4-year earnings of $50,119 at 1.1x benchmark.
This program mix — anchored in health professions and supporting fields — positions graduates for stable, in-demand careers with consistent salary growth.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brenau University Higher acceptance rate (20.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 87 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 87% | $54,003 | Compare |
Piedmont University Higher acceptance rate (26.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 92 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 93% | $49,130 | Compare |
The University Of Tennessee-Chattanooga Higher acceptance rate (10.4 percentage points higher) and located 14 miles away; similar graduate earnings | TN | 77% | $51,151 | Compare |
Trinity Washington University Higher acceptance rate (32.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 99% | $53,804 | Compare |
Radford University Higher acceptance rate (24 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 91% | $53,739 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Berry College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30560 ranked) | GA | 64% | $53,800 | #30560 | Compare |
Charleston Southern University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30561 ranked) | SC | 96% | $45,898 | #30561 | Compare |
Mercyhurst University Similar quality tier (#30562 ranked) | PA | 81% | $47,452 | #30562 | Compare |
Scripps College Similar quality tier (#30563 ranked) | CA | 38% | $77,539 | #30563 | Compare |
Waynesburg University Similar quality tier (#30554 ranked) | PA | 90% | $58,537 | #30554 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
83 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
17 graduates
Social Work
9 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
18 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
32 graduates
Southern Adventist University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied sciences—a portfolio aligned with the institution's mission-driven identity and regional healthcare demand. Nursing is the largest program with 83 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Biology, General, Theological and Ministerial Studies, and Teacher Education.
Across 23 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with particular strength in health and nursing-adjacent fields that serve both regional and national labor markets. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's health-professions concentration.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $83,525 four years after enrollment across 83 graduates, followed by Kinesiology with $59,895 and Teacher Education with $50,119. These outcomes reflect the direct-to-workforce pathway typical of health professions, where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles with predictable wage progression.
Business Administration rounds out the highest-earning cohort with $48,307. Southern Adventist University's program portfolio emphasizes applied professional preparation in healthcare and related fields—a positioning that aligns with strong regional employer demand in Tennessee and neighboring states.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how health professions and nursing-adjacent fields align with sustained labor-market growth. Graduates in these fields typically enter the workforce directly, with earnings reflecting immediate professional placement rather than extended graduate study, making four-year outcomes a reliable indicator of career trajectory for this institution's dominant program families.
