Carson-Newman University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Carson-Newman University is a private research university in Jefferson City, Tennessee, enrolling about 1,387 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 90.45% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $48,382 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $34,700
- 2024 Average Net Price: $20,251 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 90.45% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,387 97.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 53.24%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 34.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 0.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 52.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1117
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,825
- Applicants (IPEDS): 2,991
- Room & Board: $11,800 annual estimate
Carson-Newman University: what the data shows
Common questions about Carson-Newman University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Carson-Newman University?
Carson-Newman University is located in Jefferson City, TN (ZIP 37760).
NCES locale classification: Rural remote.
Is Carson-Newman University public or private?
Carson-Newman University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Carson-Newman University cost?
Published tuition: $34,700.
Average net price after aid: $20,251.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $16,672 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $16,446 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,313 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $21,209 |
| $110,001+ | $28,621 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $138,800.
How hard is it to get into Carson-Newman University?
Admission rate: 90.45%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1117 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Carson-Newman University?
Total enrollment: 1,387 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,825 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,073 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Carson-Newman University?
150%-time completion rate: 53.24%.
First-year retention: 74.2%.
What do graduates of Carson-Newman University earn?
Median earnings: $39,324 six years after entry; $48,382 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
33.37% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Carson-Newman University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Family Practice Nurse/Nursing (122 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (110 completions)
- Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision (89 completions)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other (67 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (37 completions)
- Curriculum and Instruction (29 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (25 completions)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (22 completions)
- Psychology, General (22 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (19 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Carson-Newman University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 90.45%; completion rate 53.24%; median earnings $48,382 at 10 years; net price $20,251. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$34,700
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Carson-Newman University was $34,700.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$20,251
2024 Value
In 2024 Carson-Newman University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,251.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$81,004 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$20,251 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$138,800 4-Year Tuition
$11,800 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,600 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$48,100 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$192,400 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Carson-Newman University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
33.37% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
45.54% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Carson-Newman University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Carson-Newman University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $23,696 | $23,696 | $14,549 |
| 2014 | $24,460 | $24,460 | $13,429 |
| 2015 | $25,360 | $25,360 | $15,792 |
| 2016 | $26,360 | $26,360 | $17,232 |
| 2017 | $27,400 | $27,400 | $18,003 |
| 2018 | $27,900 | $27,900 | $18,906 |
| 2019 | $28,900 | $28,900 | $17,471 |
| 2020 | $29,500 | $29,500 | $17,982 |
| 2021 | $31,320 | $31,320 | $17,457 |
| 2022 | $33,000 | $33,000 | $18,584 |
| 2023 | $34,700 | $34,700 | $18,661 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
90.45% Acceptance Rate
2,991 Total Applicants
2,042 Students Admitted
367 First-Time Students Enrolled
17.97% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1117
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Carson-Newman University reported total enrollment of about 1,387 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (72.2%), Black or African American (10.3%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.7%). About 33.37% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 34.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Carson-Newman University in 2024 is 1,387 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,825 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,073 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
74.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 72.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
45.20% 100% Completion Time
53.24% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 45.20% of students graduating from Carson-Newman University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Family Practice Nurse/Nursing: 11% male / 89% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 64% male / 36% female
- Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision: 25% male / 75% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Carson-Newman University.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$48,382 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
44.44% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
497.28% Return on Investment
4.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Carson-Newman University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 66 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Family Practice Nurse/Nursing: 122 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 110 completions
3. Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision: 89 completions
4. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other: 67 completions
5. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 37 completions
6. Curriculum and Instruction: 29 completions
7. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 25 completions
8. Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 22 completions
9. Psychology, General: 22 completions
Most popular programs at Carson-Newman University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Carson-Newman University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Carson-Newman University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 52.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,387
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,602
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Carson-Newman University is a private non-profit institution located in Jefferson City, TN, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Family Practice Nurse/Nursing, Business Administration and Management, General, Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision. Enrollment is approximately 1,387 students. Student body composition includes White (72.2%), Black or African American (10.3%), Hispanic or Latino (5.7%). The admission rate is 90.45%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1117. The 150%-time completion rate is 53.24%. Approximately 33.37% of students receive Pell Grants. About 34.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Jefferson City, TN 37760
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 66 distinct degree programs, Carson-Newman University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Carson-Newman University located?
Carson-Newman University is located in Jefferson City, TN.
What is Carson-Newman University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Carson-Newman University is 90.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,991 applicants and 2,042 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Carson-Newman University cost?
Reported tuition is $34,700 and average net price is $20,251 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,800 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Carson-Newman University?
Carson-Newman University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,825 students, White (72.2%), Black or African American (10.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Carson-Newman University?
About 34.7% of students at Carson-Newman University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Carson-Newman University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Carson-Newman University reports midpoint SAT about 1117 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Carson-Newman University earn?
Median earnings are $39,324 six years after entry and $48,382 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Carson-Newman University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 53.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Carson-Newman University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is Carson-Newman University public or private?
Carson-Newman University is a private nonprofit institution located in Jefferson City, TN.
Is Carson-Newman University an HBCU?
No. Carson-Newman University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Carson-Newman University a tribal college?
No. Carson-Newman University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Tennessee college costs
- Tennessee colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Tennessee
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.