Nashville, Tennessee Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Nashville, Tennessee shows: median public in-state tuition $17,281 (+213.5% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $49,378 (-9.1% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 88.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $16,334 (+21.6% vs U.S.) 37,311 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 24 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 37,311 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $17,281 (+213.5% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $49,378 (-9.1% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 88.0% (+0.1 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $24,044 (+141.2% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $16,334 (+21.6% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 41.8%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 83.6%

Download the data

Download JSON

Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.

Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Nashville, Tennessee—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Tennessee and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Nashville vs Tennessee & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Nashville, Tennessee$17,281$24,044$16,33441.8%37,311
Tennessee (state median)$4,998$7,802$14,82549.8%245,429
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Nashville, Tennessee vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Nashville, Tennessee$49,37888.0%83.6%3.5%—74.3%0.38
Tennessee (state median)$48,48090.5%74.9%6.3%—71.2%0.45
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Tennessee (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Nashville, Tennessee$17,281$24,044$16,33441.8%37,311$49,37888.0%
Knoxville$16,174$18,976$18,66856.8%47,906$50,42289.4%
Memphis$13,858$13,413$13,27145.3%27,349$57,47889.5%
Chattanooga$10,448$14,265$13,16850.2%20,266$51,15191.9%
Murfreesboro$10,266$12,408$13,95853.7%17,237$48,54189.5%
Johnson City$10,472$15,983$9,50053.2%10,191$44,85988.7%
Cookeville$13,248$16,597$13,00057.7%9,352$48,50192.0%
Clarksville$9,006$9,989$14,23240.2%7,722$44,30185.7%
Jackson$11,790$10,904$20,71442.2%5,490$42,83091.7%
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

Outcomes by sector in Nashville, Tennessee

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private nonprofit5$55,54188.0%83.6%3.4%—79.0%

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 93.5%, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 72.2%, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 70.7%, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 53.1%, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 34.0%, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 29.9%, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.0%, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 90.6%, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 90.0%, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 88.0%, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 87.9%, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 85.7%, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 most selective colleges in Nashville, Tennessee (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 5.9%, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 37.4%, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 67.7%, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, Admission Rate, 69.4%, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, Admission Rate, 70.1%, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, Admission Rate, 95.3%, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $122,244, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $69,533, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $67,725, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $67,072, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $65,331, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $38,089, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $160,021, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $124,270, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $93,990, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $92,380, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $63,733, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $62,259, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $73,909, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $50,454, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,065, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,770, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $34,160, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $33,604, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $84,542, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $53,623, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,319, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $48,367, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $39,391, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $32,162, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $91,565, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $55,930, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $55,541, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $49,378, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $45,454, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $42,730, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $322,095, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $167,604, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $143,987, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $138,188, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $88,208, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $52,236, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

  7. Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $35,549, Nossi College of Art and Design

    Nossi College of Art and Design

    Private for-profit · 247 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 most affordable colleges in Nashville, Tennessee (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $15,796, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $15,846, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $16,813, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $24,739, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, Net Price, $32,020, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, Net Price, $33,147, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

Top 10 colleges in Nashville, Tennessee by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 96.3%, Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt University

    Private nonprofit · 7,208 enrolled · Nashville

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 86.9%, Belmont University

    Belmont University

    Private nonprofit · 7,137 enrolled · Nashville

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 83.6%, Lipscomb University

    Lipscomb University

    Private nonprofit · 2,997 enrolled · Nashville

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 73.8%, Fisk University

    Fisk University

    Private nonprofit · 1,035 enrolled · Nashville

  5. Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 73.6%, Trevecca Nazarene University

    Trevecca Nazarene University

    Private nonprofit · 1,737 enrolled · Nashville

  6. Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 33.5%, Tennessee State University

    Tennessee State University

    Public · 4,848 enrolled · Nashville

In-state tuition: Nashville, Tennessee vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Nashville, Tennessee median in-state tuition is $17,281, +213.5% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Nashville, Tennessee vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Nashville, Tennessee is $16,334 (+21.6% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.

Median earnings (10 years out): Nashville, Tennessee vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Nashville, Tennessee center around $49,378 (-9.1% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Nashville, Tennessee vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 88.0% at the median Nashville, Tennessee campus (+0.1 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Nashville, Tennessee median public in-state tuition is $17,281, about +213.5% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +246.2%.

Median graduate debt is $16,334 (+21.6% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Nashville, Tennessee are $49,378, about -9.1% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 88.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+0.1 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 83.6% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 3.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 74.3% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Trevecca Nazarene University (91.0%), Fisk University (90.6%), Tennessee State University (90.0%), Lipscomb University (88.0%), Belmont University (87.9%), Vanderbilt University (85.7%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Nashville, Tennessee, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $55,541 (5 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Nashville, Tennessee is 41.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).

FAQ

How many colleges are in Nashville?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 24 campuses in Nashville, Tennessee with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Nashville?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Nashville is $17,281 and median net price is $24,044. For Tennessee overall, medians are $4,998 and $7,802; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in Nashville?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Nashville is $49,378 vs $48,480 for Tennessee and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for Nashville colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Nashville is $16,334 vs $14,825 for Tennessee and $13,432 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Nashville?

EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Vanderbilt University (graduation) and Vanderbilt University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Nashville?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 24 campuses in Nashville, Tennessee, 4 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including American Baptist College, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College; 5 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Baptist (1), Interdenominational (1), Churches of Christ (1).

Sources & related