Career Training Path › Tennessee › Southern Adventist University
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee · Private non-profit university · Training programs available:
Address: 4881 Taylor Cir, Collegedale, TN 37315 · Phone: (423) 236-2000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southern Adventist University is a private non-profit trade/career school in Collegedale, TN offering medical assistant, construction trades, and dental hygiene programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates carry a median debt of $24,500 and earn a median of $53,723 ten years after entry; the state average completion rate is 64.3%, but this campus's comparison is not reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 30.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $34,840 | $39,570 | $45,580 |
| Construction laborers | $34,910 | $45,000 | $49,450 |
| Dental hygienists | $76,190 | $84,640 | $94,240 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Tennessee (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Southern Adventist University is a private non-profit university located in Collegedale, Tennessee, in a large suburb setting. The school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Physical Therapy Association's accrediting body, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Its trade and career program offerings center on three families: medical assistant programs (12 completers), construction trades programs (8 completers), and dental hygiene programs (2 completers).
Federal data shows a state average completion rate of 64.3% for comparable programs in Tennessee, though how this campus compares is not reported in federal data. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $24,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry were $53,723. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 30.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of students with financial need.
With a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,773 and only 22 total trade-program completers, these career-track offerings are a small part of a larger university. Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students—including career changers—should contact the school directly to ask about schedules and time to completion. To verify accreditation status and outcome figures independently, consult the accreditors listed above and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southern Adventist University offers medical assistant programs (12 completers), construction trades programs (8 completers), and dental hygiene programs (2 completers).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Accreditors include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Physical Therapy Association's accrediting commission, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including federal loans and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The state average completion rate in Tennessee is 64.3%, but how this specific campus compares is not reported in federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $24,500, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $53,723, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Southern Adventist University is a private non-profit school, which typically means tuition revenue is reinvested into the institution rather than distributed to shareholders.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for details on program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can check accreditation status with the listed accreditors, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and verify outcome data using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at the provided link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program length and scheduling details are not reported for this campus in federal data, so career changers should contact the school directly to discuss fit and flexibility.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in federal data for this campus; contact the school to ask about specific program credentialing.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southern Adventist University at (423) 236-2000 or through its website at https://www.southern.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against other nearby schools is not reported in federal data; use the College Scorecard link to look up and compare other institutions directly.
Nearby trade and career schools in Tennessee
- Cleveland State Community CollegeCleveland, TN · 37% completion
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- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-AthensAthens, TN · 95% completion
- Motlow State Community CollegeTullahoma, TN · 34% completion
- The Hair Academy LLCFayetteville, TN · 85% completion
- Love Beauty School IncManchester, TN · 74% completion
- Chattanooga State Community College/Tcat Cdl ProgramSoddy-Daisy, TN
- Coffee County Schools TransportationManchester, TN
See all trade and career schools in Tennessee or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.