At $17,529/yr net price, Bob Jones University graduates earn $44,354/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,354/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,529 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $70,116 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,354/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,354/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,585 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,037/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,494/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,625/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,194/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,916/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,240 | $26,972 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,589 | $21,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,594 | $18,298 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $34,908 | $19,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $17,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $29,995 | $18,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $15,750 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
69.6% of students at Bob Jones University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Bob Jones University gives you a modest but manageable financial return. The median graduate earns $44,354 after ten years, which is middling for a private four-year school, but you leave with only $16,585 in median debt. That low debt load is the number that keeps the math from going bad. You are not borrowing heavily against uncertain earnings, which matters because the earnings here are not high.
Your major decides everything. Nursing is the clear winner, paying over $60,000, roughly double what teacher education graduates make at around $30,000. Accounting also holds up well near $47,000. Criminal justice and business administration land in the mid-$30,000s, close to what the median graduate earns overall, so those degrees do not move you ahead of the pack. Education pays the least and sits below the school's own median, though the Greenville region's demand for teachers is steady work if not high pay.
The specific risk is that the highest-paying program also carries the most debt. Nursing graduates borrow around $27,000, well above the school median, so the strong salary is what justifies it. If you take on that debt for a lower-paying major, the return weakens fast.
This school fits you if you enroll in nursing or accounting and want to keep borrowing low. If you plan to teach, expect tight finances early in your career and lean on the low debt to stay afloat.
The net price tiers are steep at the top. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $14,000 a year. over $110,000, you pay closer to $24,000. That $10,000 gap means higher-income families carry most of the full cost, while lower-income families get meaningful discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bob Jones University worth the money?
Bob Jones University graduates earn $44,354 ten years after graduation, which is below average for college graduates nationally. The nursing programs offer better returns at $60,240, but other majors like education ($30,409) and business ($34,908) provide limited financial upside relative to the cost.
What is the ROI for Bob Jones University graduates?
With a net price of $17,529 per year and median earnings of $44,354, Bob Jones University provides modest returns compared to other colleges. The school's 69.6% graduation rate means nearly one in three students don't finish their degree.
How much debt do Bob Jones University students graduate with?
Bob Jones University graduates have a median debt of $16,585, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, graduates in lower-paying fields like education may struggle with loan payments given their starting salaries.
Which majors at Bob Jones University have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Bob Jones University lead to the highest earnings at $60,240 annually. Accounting graduates earn $46,589, while education majors face limited earning potential at $30,409 despite the school's religious education focus.