They say the college years are the best of your life. They shape how you see the world, what passions you want to pursue, and who you hope to be. But much more than an emotional, personal and professional starting point, college is a significant financial investment.

Over the past 10 years, the cost of college has increased by more than 25%, according to CNBC. For the 2019 academic year, private colleges cost an average of $ 48,510 per year and public colleges $ 21,370. After four years, and in many cases five to six years, that cost can add up significantly, so you will need to make sure that you invest your money in an institution that is worth it. Those with a bachelor’s degree earn around $ 32,000 more each year than those who don’t, reports the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. But some colleges have a higher ROI than others.

Universities specializing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) studies tend to have a higher return on investment for their graduates. STEM has gained ground over the past 10 years as more and more careers require scientific and technological knowledge. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was 10.2 million STEM jobs in 2020, and that number is increasing. The median annual salary of workers in STEM fields is also more than double the national average.

Stacker compiled a list of colleges with the best ROI in Tennessee, using a 2019 study by Anthony P. Carnevale, Ban Cheah and Martin Van Der Werf at Georgetown University. Colleges which mainly award baccalaureate degrees were taken into consideration. Colleges are ranked by highest return on investment over 40 years, with ties broken by return on investment over 10 years. The study took into account net present value, balancing today’s costs with future benefits.

#ten. Lipscomb University

– 40-year NPV: $ 862,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 53,000

– Median debt: $ 14,145

# 9. Bryan College-Dayton

– 40-year NPV: $ 864,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 90,000

– Median debt: $ 11,738

# 8. Union University

– 40-year NPV: $ 869,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 60,000

– Median debt: $ 20,585

# 7. University of the South, Sewanee

– 40-year NPV: $ 899,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 47,000

– Median debt: $ 16,000

# 6. King University

– 40-year NPV: $ 908,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 92,000

– Median debt: $ 17,939

# 5. University of Tennessee-Knoxville

– 40-year NPV: $ 933,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 88,000

– Median debt: $ 14,000

# 4. Christian Brothers University

– 40-year NPV: $ 955,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 127,000

– Median debt: $ 16,500

# 3. Rhodes College

– 40-year NPV: $ 1,084,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 79,000

– Median debt: $ 22,000

# 2. Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences

– 40-year NPV: $ 1,251,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 183,000

– Median debt: $ 28,121

# 1. Vanderbilt University

– 40-year NPV: $ 1,462,000

– 10-year NPV: $ 169,000

– Median debt: $ 13,440

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