Southern University maintains relatively affordable sticker prices with in-state tuition of $9,940 and out-of-state tuition of $17,198, positioning costs well below many peer institutions. The average net price of $19,740 represents a moderate discount from published prices, though this exceeds the peer median net price of $12,905 by $6,835.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $17,198 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $19,740 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $18,473 |
| $30–48k | $19,314 |
| $48–75k | $21,614 |
| $75–110k | $23,583 |
| $110k+ | $23,940 |
Southern University maintains relatively affordable sticker prices with in-state tuition of $9,940 and out-of-state tuition of $17,198, positioning costs well below many peer institutions. The average net price of $19,740 represents a moderate discount from published prices, though this exceeds the peer median net price of $12,905 by $6,835. Net pricing varies significantly by family income, ranging from $18,473 for families earning under $30,000 to $23,940 for families earning over $110,000.
This $5,467 gap between lowest and highest income tiers indicates moderate price discrimination in favor of lower-income families. However, the overall net price structure remains above peer medians across income levels, reflecting the institution's resource constraints as an Under-Resourced Institution. The combination of accessible sticker prices with higher-than-peer net costs creates affordability challenges that require careful financial planning and aggressive pursuit of federal and state financial aid opportunities.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is moderate relative to earnings. Manageable for most graduates, but higher-debt borrowers should plan carefully.
Student debt levels at Southern University present significant concerns, with median debt of $29,251 substantially exceeding the peer median of $20,210 by $9,041. Debt ranges from $6,500 at the 25th percentile to $31,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating most graduates carry substantial borrowing burdens.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 suggests that typical graduates owe about two-thirds of their first-year earnings in student loans, creating challenging repayment scenarios. Parent PLUS borrowing adds additional family debt burdens, with median Parent PLUS debt of $12,000 requiring monthly payments of approximately $159.
The institution's debt percentile of 2.0 indicates debt levels rank among the highest nationally, reflecting the intersection of higher net prices with a student population that has limited family financial resources. This debt profile requires careful consideration of program choice, with nursing and other healthcare fields offering better debt-to-earnings ratios than lower-earning programs.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Southern University represents a complex investment proposition, combining strong earnings beyond expectations with concerning debt levels. The institution generates $7,224 in earnings uplift relative to student demographics, ranking in the 80.3rd percentile nationally for this outcome measure.
However, median debt of $29,251 significantly exceeds peer medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that suggests challenging repayment scenarios for many graduates. The investment calculus varies dramatically by program choice, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning $65,490 against typical debt levels, while Psychology and other social service programs face more challenging financial returns.
Graduates earn $4,501 less than peer institution medians while carrying $9,041 more debt, indicating the need for careful program selection and debt management. The strong earnings beyond expectations performance suggests institutional effectiveness, but affordability challenges require students to minimize borrowing and focus on higher-earning program pathways where possible.
Southern University serves a high-need student population with 39.7% first-generation students and substantial transfer enrollment, indicating significant financial aid requirements across the student body. The net price structure reflects efforts to support lower-income families, with the lowest income tier paying $18,473 compared to $23,940 for the highest income families.
However, even the most subsidized net prices exceed peer medians, suggesting resource constraints limit the institution's ability to provide deeper discounts. The gap between sticker prices and net costs is moderate, indicating financial aid packaging focuses more on federal and state aid rather than large institutional discounts.
Students and families should expect to rely heavily on federal Pell Grants, state aid programs, and loan packaging to achieve affordability. The institution's focus on access means financial aid offices likely have experience supporting first-generation students through the aid application and packaging process.
