Union University delivers solid financial outcomes for graduates, particularly those in nursing and healthcare programs where earnings significantly exceed the national average.
The institution's focus on professional preparation helps explain why students achieve above-average long-term earnings despite higher upfront costs.
Union University is a small private nonprofit institution in Jackson, Tennessee, that combines Christian liberal arts education with strong professional programs. While the university serves a more selective student population—with about 25% receiving Pell Grants and 33% being first-generation students—it delivers solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. The institution ranks in the 67th percentile nationally for earnings, reflecting its focus on career-oriented programs, particularly in nursing and healthcare fields.
Union's strength lies in its specialized professional programs rather than broad access. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, it provides strong outcomes for the students it serves, though with more limited access for low-income students compared to larger public universities. The university's small size allows for personalized attention and close faculty relationships, which can be particularly valuable for students in demanding professional programs.
For families who prioritize a faith-based education combined with practical career preparation, Union University offers a focused academic environment. The institution's nursing program stands out as particularly strong, graduating 166 students with median earnings of $58,673 ten years after enrollment. This combination of specialized professional training, Christian values, and solid career outcomes makes Union an attractive option for students whose priorities align with its mission and academic strengths.
Union University's program portfolio reveals a clear hierarchy in terms of both scale and financial outcomes. The Adult Health Nursing program stands as the institution's flagship offering, graduating 166 students annually with strong median earnings of $58,673 ten years after enrollment. This program represents Union's greatest strength, combining substantial enrollment with excellent financial outcomes that reflect strong demand for healthcare professionals in the regional and national job market.
Business Administration, while representing the second-largest program with 69 graduates, shows more modest financial returns at $28,960 in median earnings. This gap between nursing and business outcomes highlights how program choice significantly impacts the return on investment at Union. Smaller specialized programs like Forensic Social Work, with 30 graduates earning around $29,956, occupy a middle ground between the high-earning nursing track and the more modest business outcomes.
The concentration of Union's strongest outcomes in healthcare and nursing reflects both the institution's academic strengths and broader labor market trends. Students considering Union should recognize that the university's value proposition is most compelling for those pursuing healthcare careers, where the combination of specialized training, clinical experience, and strong job market demand translates into solid long-term financial returns. For students in other fields, the cost-benefit analysis requires more careful consideration of career goals and alternative educational pathways.
Union University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings, with a median of $53,990 ten years after enrollment. While this places the institution in the 67th percentile nationally for earnings, the university's strength becomes clear when examining specific programs. The nursing program, which represents Union's largest and most successful academic offering, produces graduates earning $58,673 at the ten-year mark—significantly above the institutional median and reflecting strong demand for healthcare professionals.
The university's program mix reveals both strengths and challenges in terms of financial outcomes. Adult Health Nursing dominates with 166 graduates and represents the highest aggregate return program, combining substantial enrollment with strong individual earnings. Business Administration, the second-largest program with 69 graduates, shows more modest earnings at $28,960, while smaller specialized programs like Forensic Social Work produce 30 graduates earning around $29,956. This pattern suggests that Union's value proposition is strongest for students pursuing healthcare and nursing careers, where the combination of specialized training and market demand translates into solid financial returns.
The university's focus on professional preparation in high-demand fields helps explain why graduates generally achieve above-average earnings despite the institution's smaller scale. Students considering Union should recognize that outcomes vary significantly by program choice, with nursing and healthcare fields offering the strongest financial prospects while other programs may require additional considerations about career goals and earning expectations.
Affordability represents Union University's most significant challenge for many families. Low-income students face net prices of $24,793 annually, while middle-income families pay $25,531, and high-income families see costs rise to $29,835. These figures place Union in the 23rd percentile nationally for affordability, meaning it costs more than most comparable institutions. The relatively small difference between low- and middle-income net prices suggests that need-based aid, while present, doesn't dramatically reduce costs for the most financially constrained families.
Debt levels reflect these higher costs, with typical graduates carrying $20,714 in federal student loan debt and families borrowing an additional $17,000 through Parent PLUS loans. However, Union's loan repayment patterns show encouraging signs—borrowers pay down balances faster than national averages, with the institution ranking in the 80th-85th percentile for early repayment progress. This suggests that while students borrow more upfront, they're generally able to service that debt effectively after graduation.
The affordability equation at Union ultimately depends on program choice and family financial capacity. For students entering high-earning fields like nursing, the higher upfront costs can be justified by strong post-graduation earnings. For families considering other programs with more modest earning potential, the cost-benefit analysis becomes more complex and requires careful consideration of both financial capacity and career goals.
Union University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
