At $16,664/yr net price, Central Baptist College graduates earn $46,789/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,789/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,664 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $66,656 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,789/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,789/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 35.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,632/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,536/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,427/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,054/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,991/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $44,189 | |
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | Bachelor | $41,937 |
The Risk Factor
35.3% of students at Central Baptist College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Central Baptist College gives you a mixed-to-weak financial return, and the biggest warning sign is the graduation rate. Only about a third of students finish, and fewer than 60% come back for a second year. That means your real risk here isn't debt load, which stays moderate, it's paying for a year or two and leaving with no degree to show for it.
For students who do finish, the earnings picture is modest. Median pay ten years out lands below $47,000, and the two bachelor's programs with reported earnings, Human Resources Management and Bible/Biblical Studies, both come in lower than that, in the low-to-mid $40,000s. If you're drawn here for the Bible program, go in knowing the pay reflects ministry and nonprofit work, not a high-earning track. Human Resources edges it out by roughly $2,000 a year but still sits under the school's overall median.
The net price tiers are the most useful number for planning. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $13,500 a year, and the return on that spend is defensible if you graduate. But the jump is steep once you cross $75,000: you pay over $21,000, more than families earning $110,000-plus. If you're in that $75,000 to $110,000 band, you carry the heaviest cost at this school with the same modest earnings on the other end.
This school fits you if you're committed to finishing, want a small Baptist college in central Arkansas, and are pursuing HR or ministry work with clear eyes about the pay. Look elsewhere if you need a degree to justify high borrowing, if you're not confident you'll stay enrolled, or if you're a middle-income family who'd pay top-tier net price for below-average earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Baptist College worth the debt?
With median debt of $22,250 and graduates earning $46,789 after 10 years, Central Baptist College provides a manageable debt-to-income ratio. However, the 35% graduation rate means many students take on debt without completing their degree.
What is the ROI for Central Baptist College programs?
Human Resources Management graduates earn around $44,189 annually, while Bible/Biblical Studies majors average $41,937. These earnings are below the national average for college graduates, making the financial return modest.
Does Central Baptist College have good job placement rates?
The school's 35% graduation rate is well below national averages, indicating many students struggle to complete their programs. This low completion rate raises concerns about job placement success for enrolled students.
How affordable is Central Baptist College compared to other schools?
At $16,664 net price per year, Central Baptist College costs less than many four-year institutions. The lower price point helps offset the below-average earnings potential of graduates.