At $21,082/yr net price, Southwest Baptist University graduates earn $43,112/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,112/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,082 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,328 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,112/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,112/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,957 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,672/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,056/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,785/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,889/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,292/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $68,931 | $115,500 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,516 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $59,948 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $53,454 | $22,308 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $49,631 | $18,600 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $45,794 | $22,238 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $44,942 | $14,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $36,776 | $13,487 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,060 |
The Risk Factor
51.2% of students at Southwest Baptist 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
Southwest Baptist University gives you a mixed financial return that leans weak. At $21,082 a year in net price and median earnings of $43,112 ten years out, you spend real money for an outcome that sits below what a bachelor's degree usually returns. The saving grace is low median debt of $20,957, which keeps your downside manageable even if your salary disappoints.
Your major decides everything here. Computer science and mathematics graduates clear roughly $60,000, and nursing lands around $53,000, all well above the school's overall median. Pick one of those and the math works. Business administration and criminal justice tell a harder story, both landing in the mid-to-high $30,000s, which is close to what you might earn without a degree at all. A criminal justice grad here earns about $26,000 less than a computer science grad from the same campus.
The specific risk is completion. Only 66% of you come back for a second year, and just over half finish. If you borrow, start a low-paying major, and leave without the degree, you carry debt with no credential to show for it. That is the worst outcome, and the retention number says it happens to a meaningful share of students here.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay the most at $22,672, more than families earning over $110,000. The $30,000-$48,000 band pays the least at $18,056. Lower-income families do not get the discount you would expect.
This school fits you if you commit to computer science, math, or nursing and finish. If you are leaning toward business or criminal justice, price out a cheaper public option first, because the earnings here do not justify the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southwest Baptist University worth the cost?
Southwest Baptist University's graduates earn $43,112 ten years after graduation, which is below average for the $21,082 annual net price. With only a 51% graduation rate, many students don't finish their degree, making the investment risky for average performers.
What are the best paying majors at Southwest Baptist University?
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions graduates earn $68,931, while computer science majors make $61,516. These programs offer solid returns that justify the cost, unlike many other majors at the school.
How much student debt do Southwest Baptist University graduates have?
The median debt is $20,957, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with average graduate earnings of $43,112, debt payments could still strain budgets for lower-earning majors.
Does Southwest Baptist University have good job placement after graduation?
The school's 99% acceptance rate and 51% graduation rate suggest it admits many unprepared students who struggle to finish. Strong programs like rehabilitation services and computer science likely have better outcomes than the overall averages indicate.