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Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN 2,997 Undergrads 67.7% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$55,117
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$24,739
After Aid
Median Earnings
$63,007
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$24,739
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$63,007Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$55,541Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate67.7%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Average Starting Age23.9
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients24.4%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time95.7%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS78.8%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
67.7%
SAT Avg
1,256
SAT Reading
25th: 59060075th: 700
SAT Math
25th: 57058575th: 680
ACT Composite
25th: 232675th: 30
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$560k
+$93k
+$75k
Median Cost$25k/yr
+$471k
+$4k
-$14k
Full Cost$55k/yr
+$361k
-$106k
-$123k
ROI Efficiency Metrics⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
34
∞
Median Cost$25k/yr
Never
-15%
Full Cost$55k/yr
Never
-62%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return-24%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-69%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Certificates
Basic Skills and Developmental/Remedial Education
CertCIP: 3201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,011
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$23,732
Earnings (4yr)
$83,930
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$147k
Applied Mathematics
BachCIP: 2703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $91,532
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Bible/Biblical Studies
BachCIP: 3902
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,533
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
BachCIP: 2602
Median Debt
$24,619
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$24,375
Earnings (4yr)
$54,965
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$79k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$21,082
Earnings (4yr)
$80,751
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$123k
Civil Engineering
BachCIP: 1408
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $86,517
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$21,253
Earnings (4yr)
$52,267
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$101k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Engineering
BachCIP: 1409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $109,015
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $107,009
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
BachCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,894
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
BachCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $85,063
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Design and Applied Arts
BachCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,490
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
BachCIP: 5131
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,753
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
BachCIP: 1410
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $100,647
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
BachCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$29,685
Natl Median: $61,027
Lifetime Value Added
-$284k
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
BachCIP: 0502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,710
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
BachCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,765
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Finance and Financial Management Services
BachCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
BachCIP: 1605
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,459
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
BachCIP: 5100
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,296
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
BachCIP: 5111
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,911
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$21,508
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
-$359k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
BachCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,568
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
BachCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$23,317
Earnings (4yr)
$61,167
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
-$28k
International Business
BachCIP: 5211
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,201
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
International Relations and National Security Studies
BachCIP: 4509
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,596
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Journalism
BachCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,278
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
BachCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Literature
BachCIP: 2314
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,173
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Management Information Systems and Services
BachCIP: 5212
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,290
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$19,500
Earnings (4yr)
$77,996
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
+$102k
Mechanical Engineering
BachCIP: 1419
Median Debt
$26,500
Earnings (4yr)
$93,990
Natl Median: $92,135
Lifetime Value Added
+$224k
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
BachCIP: 3000
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$56,036
Natl Median: $50,532
Lifetime Value Added
-$70k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
BachCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Non-Professional Legal Studies
BachCIP: 2200
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (5yr)
$66,804
Natl Median: $61,959
Lifetime Value Added
+$6k
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
BachCIP: 3907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,915
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$22,610
Earnings (4yr)
$47,933
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$137k
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
BachCIP: 0909
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,560
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$74,051
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$71k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
BachCIP: 5123
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
BachCIP: 2313
Median Debt
$17,625
Earnings (4yr)
$42,863
Natl Median: $48,471
Lifetime Value Added
-$180k
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
BachCIP: 1609
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$53,938
Natl Median: $51,790
Lifetime Value Added
-$87k
Special Education and Teaching
BachCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,499
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
BachCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,631
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$18,250
Earnings (4yr)
$44,328
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$168k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$47,544
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$140k
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
BachCIP: 3999
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,566
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Visual and Performing Arts, General
BachCIP: 5001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,688
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
PB-CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $86,165
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
PB-CertCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$58,135
Natl Median: $58,414
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Master's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
MastCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$106,199
Natl Median: $95,833
Lifetime Value Added
+$249k
Bible/Biblical Studies
MastCIP: 3902
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,028
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
MastCIP: 2602
Median Debt
$32,238
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,271
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (4yr)
$90,589
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$112k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$58,215
Earnings (4yr)
$56,187
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$193k
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
MastCIP: 1199
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $139,553
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer and Information Sciences, General
MastCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$127,250
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
+$432k
Computer Engineering
MastCIP: 1409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $136,736
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Curriculum and Instruction
MastCIP: 1303
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$59,936
Natl Median: $63,399
Lifetime Value Added
-$159k
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$25,506
Earnings (4yr)
$73,891
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$34k
Educational/Instructional Media Design
MastCIP: 1305
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,644
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
MastCIP: 0302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $72,563
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
MastCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,486
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
MastCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$66,077
Natl Median: $83,558
Lifetime Value Added
-$79k
Medical Illustration and Informatics
MastCIP: 5127
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $101,441
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
MastCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$61,583
Earnings (4yr)
$53,211
Natl Median: $59,571
Lifetime Value Added
-$222k
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
MastCIP: 3099
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,350
Natl Median: $75,122
Lifetime Value Added
-$118k
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
MastCIP: 3005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,267
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
MastCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,711
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$26,466
Earnings (4yr)
$63,058
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$130k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
MastCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$65,590
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
-$107k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$61,534
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
-$144k
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
MastCIP: 1314
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,213
Natl Median: $65,767
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Theological and Ministerial Studies
MastCIP: 3906
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,190
Natl Median: $61,300
Lifetime Value Added
-$120k
Doctoral Degrees
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$103,294
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
+$15k
Theological and Ministerial Studies
DocCIP: 3906
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,982
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Professional Degrees
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
ProfCIP: 5120
Median Debt
$269,705
Earnings (4yr)
$135,760
Natl Median: $138,348
Lifetime Value Added
+$269k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.