Admit rate has ranged 60%–99% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Milligan University is a small Christian liberal arts school in Tennessee where faith and academics intertwine—think tight-knit community, a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, and a campus culture that leans heavily into evangelical values. With a 70% acceptance rate and strong nursing and business programs, it attracts students who want a faith-based education without the cutthroat selectivity of bigger-name religious colleges.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
818
In-state tuition
$40,450
Out-of-state tuition
$40,450
Location
Milligan, TN
Acceptance Rate
72.3%
Total Annual Cost
$54,590
Typical Merit Aid
$8k–$25k/year
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
53%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,641
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$25,219
Graduation rate
63%
First-year retention
82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
72%
Pell (lower-income) share
52%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$68,644
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$49,840
Business Administration, Management and Operations$26,353
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
2.44
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
106
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
35°F
Annual rain
50.8"
Annual snow
13.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Milligan University?
Milligan University's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (Milligan, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Milligan University?
Admitted students at Milligan University typically score 1133–1268 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Milligan University cost?
At Milligan University, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,365 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Milligan University?
Milligan University enrolls approximately 818 undergraduate students.
Where is Milligan University located?
Milligan University is located in Milligan, TN.
Admissions
Milligan’s admissions process is moderately selective, with a 72.3% acceptance rate (780 admits from 1,079 applications in 2024). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1130–1270 on the SAT or 23–29 on the ACT, and 65% have a GPA of 3.75 or higher. The university explicitly seeks applicants with 'evidence of Christian commitment' alongside academic potential, and AP/IB credits are accepted. Deadlines are rolling, but the regular application cutoff is August 28.
Milligan offers 100+ majors, minors, and pre-professional programs, with business (36 graduates), kinesiology (24), and nursing (11) among the most popular. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio fosters close mentorship, and the curriculum emphasizes experiential learning within a Christian framework. Notably, the university has been recognized by Colleges of Distinction for its 'meaningful student-faculty collaboration' and active campus culture.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Life at Milligan revolves around its evangelical Christian identity—chapel attendance is expected, and the campus culture leans conservative (some students critique its 'expectations of conformity'). 83% of undergrads live on campus, with housing averaging $8,300/year. The suburban Tennessee setting offers hiking and river activities, but the social scene is largely dorm- and church-centered. Students describe it as a 'close-knit community' with professors who 'care deeply'—both academically and spiritually.
Milligan’s 4-year graduation rate is 53% (above average for similar colleges), rising to 63% at 6 years. Alumni median earnings are $43k six years post-graduation, climbing to $47k after a decade. The average graduate leaves with $25k in debt, slightly below the national average. The university tracks these metrics closely, aiming to sustain its 'historically strong graduation rates' while expanding career support.
Total annual cost is $54,590, but Milligan offers merit scholarships ranging from $8k to $25k/year based on GPA. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator helps estimate aid packages, which often include institutional and state grants. Financial aid offers explicitly outline how much support is available—critical for families budgeting for a private Christian education.
Milligan carves a niche for students seeking a faith-integrated education without the austerity of stricter Bible colleges. Its strengths—like nursing and business programs, a supportive faculty, and a graduation rate that outperforms peers—come wrapped in a package of Appalachian charm and evangelical warmth. But it’s not for everyone: the cultural homogeneity and religious expectations can feel limiting to some. For those who fit, though, it’s a rare blend of academic rigor and spiritual grounding.
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