South College vs Vanderbilt University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| South College Knoxville, TN | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +11% | +656% |
| 10-year net gain | $8,665 | $448,924 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $53,690 | $96,741 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $54,999 | $63,402 |
| Average net price | $17,858 | $15,846 |
| Median debt | $18,668 | $14,000 |
| Break-even | 9 yrs | 1.3 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 42% | 94% |
| Admission rate | — | 6% |
South College
Break-even
+$8,665 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Vanderbilt University
Strong return
+$448,924 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.