About Southeastern Baptist College
Southeastern Baptist College prepares students for Christian ministry and biblical scholarship. With just 65 students enrolled, this intimate college offers intensive biblical studies and theology programs in small-town Laurel, Mississippi. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention from faculty who are often practicing ministers themselves. Students dive deep into Scripture, church history, and pastoral counseling in an environment designed to strengthen faith alongside academic knowledge.
The financial picture looks promising for families seeking affordable Christian education. Students pay an average of $5,603 after aid, making this one of the most budget-friendly private colleges in the region. Families earning under $30,000 annually pay just $2,975 net price. However, graduates earn a median of $26,946 ten years after graduation, reflecting the service-oriented nature of ministry careers rather than high-paying corporate positions.
The student body skews heavily male at 80%, typical for seminary-style programs. Athletic opportunities exist with 47 total athletes competing in two varsity sports. The 19% retention rate suggests this specialized environment isn't for everyone, but those who stay succeed remarkably well. The 100% six-year graduation rate demonstrates that committed students who find their calling here finish what they start.
The financial picture looks promising for families seeking affordable Christian education. Students pay an average of $5,603 after aid, making this one of the most budget-friendly private colleges in the region. Families earning under $30,000 annually pay just $2,975 net price. However, graduates earn a median of $26,946 ten years after graduation, reflecting the service-oriented nature of ministry careers rather than high-paying corporate positions.
The student body skews heavily male at 80%, typical for seminary-style programs. Athletic opportunities exist with 47 total athletes competing in two varsity sports. The 19% retention rate suggests this specialized environment isn't for everyone, but those who stay succeed remarkably well. The 100% six-year graduation rate demonstrates that committed students who find their calling here finish what they start.
Academics & Faculty
Southeastern Baptist College focuses intensively on biblical studies and ministry preparation for its tiny student body of just 65 students. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally and can provide individualized mentoring for future pastors and Christian workers. However, the 19% retention rate suggests many students struggle with the rigorous academic and spiritual expectations or transfer to larger institutions. While 100% of students who stay eventually graduate, only 35% finish in four years, indicating the demanding nature of theological coursework. The college primarily serves students called to full-time ministry, offering specialized training in biblical interpretation, preaching, and church leadership that larger universities cannot match.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 30.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 35.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 100.0%
- Retention Rate
- 19.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $26,946
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate/Associate College
Campus Life
This tiny Christian campus houses just 65 students in rural Laurel, Mississippi, about two hours from Jackson and three hours from New Orleans. With only 45 beds available, roughly 69% of students live on campus in close-knit dormitories. The male-heavy student body (80% men) reflects the college's focus on training future pastors and ministry leaders.
Summers stretch long and humid here, with temperatures regularly hitting the 90s and high humidity that makes lightweight clothing essential. Winters stay mild, rarely requiring more than a light jacket. The 19% retention rate suggests many students transfer after experiencing the intense religious focus and small-town isolation. Weekend activities center around chapel services, intramural sports, and trips to nearby Hattiesburg for shopping or dining. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally. With 47 total athletes competing in just two varsity sports, athletics provide a major social outlet on this quiet campus where Baptist traditions shape daily routines.
Summers stretch long and humid here, with temperatures regularly hitting the 90s and high humidity that makes lightweight clothing essential. Winters stay mild, rarely requiring more than a light jacket. The 19% retention rate suggests many students transfer after experiencing the intense religious focus and small-town isolation. Weekend activities center around chapel services, intramural sports, and trips to nearby Hattiesburg for shopping or dining. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally. With 47 total athletes competing in just two varsity sports, athletics provide a major social outlet on this quiet campus where Baptist traditions shape daily routines.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 45 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1948
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 34°–58°F
- July Avg
- 70°–91°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 56.6"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Students at this tiny Baptist college come overwhelmingly from Mississippi, drawn by its reputation for affordable ministry training. The student body is 80% male, reflecting the school's focus on preparing pastors and church leaders in traditional Baptist communities. Most students receive Pell Grants, making this one of the most affordable paths to ministry education in the region. The college attracts both white and Black students from local Baptist congregations. With only 65 total students, everyone knows each other personally. The low retention rate suggests some students transfer to larger schools after getting their foundational biblical training.
- Men
- 80.0%
- Women
- 20.0%
- White
- 60.0%
- Black
- 33.9%
- Hispanic
- 3.1%
- Asian
- 0.0%
- In-State Students
- 87.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 70.5%
Location
Southeastern Baptist College sits in Laurel, Mississippi, about 100 miles southeast of Jackson and 125 miles north of the Gulf Coast. With just 65 students, the college operates in a small town setting that reflects the rural character of southeastern Mississippi. Laurel has gained recent attention as the home base for HGTV's "Home Town" renovation show, bringing new energy to this historic lumber town of around 18,000 residents. The piney woods region offers a slower pace typical of small Southern communities. Over 87% of students come from within Mississippi, suggesting strong local and regional ties. Students considering colleges in Mississippi may also compare Southeastern Baptist College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Laurel, Mississippi 39440-9989
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $26,946
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is admission to Southeastern Baptist College?
With only 65 students enrolled, Southeastern Baptist College maintains an extremely intimate campus environment. The school focuses on preparing students for Christian ministry and biblical studies rather than traditional academic selectivity.
What does Southeastern Baptist College cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $5,603, making it one of the most affordable Christian colleges in the region. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,975 after aid, with 70.54% receiving financial assistance.
What is the student experience like at Southeastern Baptist College?
The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in this Baptist institution founded in 1948. However, the 19.05% retention rate suggests many students transfer or leave after their first year.
How successful are graduates from Southeastern Baptist College?
The college boasts a 100% six-year graduation rate, though only 35.48% finish in four years. Graduates earn a median salary of $26,946 ten years after enrollment, reflecting careers in ministry and Christian service.
What is campus life like at Southeastern Baptist College?
With housing capacity for just 45 students and total enrollment of 65, most students live on the small Laurel, Mississippi campus. The Chargers field two varsity sports with 47 total athletes competing.
Is Southeastern Baptist College diverse in its student body?
The student body is 80% male, reflecting the school's focus on training ministers and Christian leaders. The college serves 60% white and 33.85% Black students, with 87.5% coming from Mississippi.
