At $19,968/yr net price, Southern Wesleyan University graduates earn $47,756/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,756/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,968 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $79,872 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,756/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,756/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,936/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,234/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,474/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,436/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,758/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $57,318 | $31,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $53,045 | $31,566 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,556 | $30,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $44,021 | $18,425 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $42,682 | $27,333 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $33,138 | |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $27,041 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $24,035 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $18,309 |
The Risk Factor
52.0% of students at Southern Wesleyan 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
Southern Wesleyan University gives you a modest financial return that leans weak. You leave with median earnings of $47,756 after ten years against $26,000 in debt, which keeps your loan burden under one year of pay. That ratio works, but the earnings ceiling is low and the payoff depends heavily on which major you pick.
Business Administration is the one bachelor's degree here that pulls its weight, landing near $47,000. Everything else drops off fast. Teacher education pays in the low $30,000s, Human Services sits at $30,771, and Biology bottoms out at $24,035 while still carrying real cost. If you enroll in Biology expecting a science salary, the numbers say you won't get one from this degree alone. Human Services graduates leave owing $27,041 against earnings barely above minimum-wage full-time work, which is the worst combination on this list.
The two biggest risks are completion and retention. Only about half of you finish, and a third of you don't return after your first year. If you borrow, start a low-paying major, and leave without the degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings. That is the real danger here, not the sticker price.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $15,936, roughly $9,000 less than families above $110,000. Notably, the $48,000-$75,000 band pays more than the $75,000-$110,000 band, so middle-income families see an odd bump.
This school fits you if you're aiming at business or K-12 teaching, come from a lower-income household, and will finish. Look elsewhere if you want a science career or need strong odds of graduating on your first try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Wesleyan University worth the cost?
Southern Wesleyan University graduates earn $47,756 after 10 years, which is below average for the $26,000 median debt students carry. The 52% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Southern Wesleyan University?
Human Resources Management leads earnings at $57,318, followed by Educational Administration at $53,045. Teacher education programs pay around $44,000, which may struggle to justify the debt load.
How much debt do Southern Wesleyan University students graduate with?
The median debt is $26,000, which creates payment challenges given that most graduates earn under $48,000. Business majors see varying returns, with some programs paying $46,000 and others just $42,000.
Does Southern Wesleyan University have good financial aid?
The net price of $19,968 per year is reasonable for a private school, but the relatively low post-graduation earnings make debt repayment difficult for many students.