Middle Tennessee State University vs South College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN | South College Knoxville, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +26% | +11% |
| 10-year net gain | $15,926 | $8,665 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $52,665 | $53,690 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $41,308 | $54,999 |
| Average net price | $13,359 | $17,858 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $18,668 |
| Break-even | 7.9 yrs | 9 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 54% | 42% |
| Admission rate | 69% | — |
Middle Tennessee State University
Break-even
+$15,926 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
South College
Break-even
+$8,665 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.