Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Union University #1168 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 28.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Union University sits in the 32.2 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for graduates entering health and related fields.
Azimuth ranks Union University #1168 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 21.0 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Jackson, TN, Union University enrolls roughly 1,607 undergraduates. Retention is 89.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 66.0%, placing the institution among the strongest nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where Union University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Union University #1022 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 30.9 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,152, placing Union University in the 45.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $7,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Union University in the 28.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Union University sits in the 27.1 percentile for access and the 36.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Health — a field with consistent labor-market demand and strong early-career earnings — anchors its return advantage and helps explain why graduates achieve outcomes that exceed those of similar students at comparable institutions.
Union University's published cost of attendance is $58,363, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $25,839; middle-income families pay around $23,891; higher-income families pay approximately $30,373. Azimuth ranks Union University #903 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. Union University uses need-based aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most students receive some combination of scholarships and grants alongside loans, though the aid-to-loan ratio varies by income level and individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,714, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $20,000; 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 typical four-year earnings of $60,152, median federal debt of $20,714 projects to a monthly payment of about $234 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Union University is a strong fit for students interested in health-related fields who want a private university experience in TN. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,152, placing Union University in the 45.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $7,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 28.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 24.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.5% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Union University in the 51.0 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 60.4% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Union 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.
Union University's published cost of attendance is $58,363, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $25,839; middle-income families pay around $23,891; higher-income families pay approximately $30,373.
Azimuth ranks Union University #903 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.
Union University uses need-based aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Most students receive some combination of scholarships and grants alongside loans, though the aid-to-loan ratio varies by income level and individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,714, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $20,000; 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 typical four-year earnings of $60,152, median federal debt of $20,714 projects to a monthly payment of about $234 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 Union University earn median 4-year earnings of $60,152, placing Union University in the 45.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Union University in the 28.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Union University #1022 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on Health fields, which anchor the institution's economic profile.
Nursing is the largest program with 170 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $72,824, at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 59 students earning $63,234, and the The Social Work program graduates 29 students earning $46,286.
Kinesiology and English Language and Literature, General round out the core program lineup, reflecting Union University's concentrated focus on fields with stable career pathways and consistent employer demand.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
170 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
59 graduates
Marketing
15 graduates
Social Work
29 graduates
Psychology, General
11 graduates
Union University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and professional fields, reflecting the institution's mission as a private liberal arts university in Tennessee. Nursing is the largest program with 170 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Social Work, Kinesiology, and English Language and Literature, General.
Across 27 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold among nonprofit four-year institutions, with particular strength in health-related and applied professional fields. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's dominant program concentration.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $72,824 with 170 graduates, while Business Administration graduates earn $63,234 and Digital Marketing graduates earn $57,184. These outcomes represent the institution's highest-earning programs.
Social Work and General Studies round out the earnings leaders, demonstrating consistent financial outcomes across the institution's core program portfolio. This concentration in health-related pathways reflects both student demand and strong labor-market alignment, as healthcare fields continue to show robust wage growth and employment stability.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Union University's dominant program families align with national workforce trends and regional healthcare sector needs.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Mississippi Higher acceptance rate (50.6 percentage points higher) and located 98 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MS | 98% | $50,994 | Compare |
Christian Brothers University Higher acceptance rate (41.2 percentage points higher) and located 74 miles away; similar graduate earnings | TN | 88% | $57,478 | Compare |
University Of Memphis Higher acceptance rate (46.2 percentage points higher) and located 72 miles away; similar graduate earnings | TN | 93% | $48,458 | Compare |
Trinity Washington University Higher acceptance rate (52 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 99% | $53,804 | Compare |
Brenau University Higher acceptance rate (39.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | GA | 87% | $54,003 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Randolph College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32748 ranked) | VA | 94% | $53,409 | #32748 | Compare |
Samford University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32747 ranked) | AL | 82% | $58,469 | #32747 | Compare |
Tusculum University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#32755 ranked) | TN | 72% | $44,367 | #32755 | Compare |
Whitman College Similar quality tier (#32746 ranked) | WA | 38% | $67,589 | #32746 | Compare |
Hope International University Similar quality tier (#32756 ranked) | CA | 33% | $49,697 | #32756 | Compare |
