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42.6%Acceptance
$29,195Tuition
1,370Students
51%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$46,440Earnings
#13 in MississippiPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalResearch UniversityNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Presbyterian Church (USA)
Return on Investment: Good

At $22,078/yr net price, Belhaven University graduates earn $46,440/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,440/yr above the median for high school graduates.

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for Belhaven University
Metric Value
Average Net Price (per year) $22,078
Estimated 4-Year Cost $88,312
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $46,440/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma +$12,440/yr
Estimated Break-Even 7.1 years
Graduation Rate (6-year) 51.1%
Median Debt at Graduation $26,333

What You'll Actually Pay

Average net price by family income

Net price by family income for Belhaven University
Family Income Estimated Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $16,855/yr
$30,001 - $48,000 $17,039/yr
$48,001 - $75,000 $24,853/yr
$75,001 - $110,000 $28,359/yr
$110,001+ $25,276/yr

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at Belhaven University
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $46,673 $44,630
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $45,636 $31,534
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Master $44,942 $41,799
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Master $43,798
Health and Physical Education/Fitness. Master $40,017 $45,053
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. Master $39,729 $32,218
Education, General. Master $39,369 $34,335
Public Administration. Master $38,505 $44,784
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Bachelor $38,289 $35,416
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. Bachelor $33,993

The Risk Factor

Completion Risk: Elevated Risk

51.1% of students at Belhaven University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.

Analysis

Belhaven University gives you a weak-to-mixed financial return. Ten years out, the median graduate earns $46,440, which sits close to what a bachelor's degree should clear but leaves little room above the $26,333 median debt. Paying $22,078 a year for that outcome makes the math tight.

Business Administration is the strongest bet here, paying $45,636. But its debt load runs to $31,534, so even the top-earning major sends you out owing more than the school's median. Everything below business gets worse fast. Health and Medical Administrative Services pays $38,289 against $35,416 in debt, and Social Sciences pays $30,228 while carrying $38,569 in debt, the highest debt figure on the list for one of the lowest paychecks. Health and Physical Education/Fitness bottoms out at $22,534, barely above minimum-wage territory.

The specific risk at Belhaven is finishing at all. Just under 69% of students return after year one, and only 51% graduate. If you borrow, start a major like Social Sciences, and then leave, you carry the debt with none of the earnings.

The net price tiers reward lower-income families and punish the middle. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $17,000 a year. Cross into the $75,000-$110,000 bracket and the price jumps to $28,359 , more than families earning over $110,000 pay. That middle-income cliff is the sharpest financial warning here.

Belhaven fits you if you're set on business, come from a household under $48,000, and are confident you'll graduate. Look elsewhere if you're eyeing the social sciences or physical education tracks, or if your family lands in the $75,000-$110,000 range where the price outruns the payoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Belhaven University worth the cost?

With median debt of $26,333 and 10-year earnings of $46,440, Belhaven graduates face a challenging return on investment. The debt-to-income ratio is higher than most financial advisors recommend for college graduates.

What are the highest paying majors at Belhaven University?

Business Administration leads with median earnings around $46,673, followed by Health and Medical Administrative Services at $44,942. Education and fitness programs typically earn $40,000-$44,000, which may struggle to justify the debt load.

How much debt do Belhaven University students typically graduate with?

The median debt is $26,333, which represents about 57% of typical first-year earnings for graduates. This debt burden is concerning given the school's 51% graduation rate.

Does Belhaven University provide good financial aid?

The net price averages $22,078 per year, which still leads to significant debt for most students. Given the earning outcomes, students should carefully evaluate whether the financial aid package makes attendance affordable.