At $20,581/yr net price, Southwestern Adventist University graduates earn $52,946/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,946/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,581 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $82,324 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,946/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,946/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,998 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,482/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,600/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,435/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,112/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,537/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 | $66,941 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
41.1% of students at Southwestern Adventist 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
Southwestern Adventist University gives you a moderate financial return that leans heavily on one program. At about $53,000 median earnings ten years out against a roughly $27,000 debt load, you can pay off what you borrow, but the margin is thin. The 41% graduation rate is the bigger problem: if you leave without a degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump that justified it.
Nursing is the clear winner here. At nearly $67,000, the bachelor's in registered nursing pays about $14,000 more than the school-wide median, and Texas hospitals across the Dallas-Fort Worth area near Keene keep hiring. If you enroll in nursing and finish, the math works. That program is really the financial case for this school.
The risk is that nursing is the only bachelor's program with reported earnings data, so any other major is a blind bet on outcomes. Pair that with a 70% retention rate, meaning three in ten of you don't return after year one, and the odds of walking away with debt but no degree are real. That combination is the specific danger at this school.
On price, the sticker holds fairly steady across income levels. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $17,500 a year. if you're over $110,000, closer to $24,500. That's a narrow $7,000 spread, so lower-income families don't get the steep discounts you'd see at wealthier private schools. Budget for four full years of near-list price.
Enroll here if you're committed to nursing and confident you'll finish. If you're undecided or drawn to a major with no earnings track record, price out a public Texas alternative first, since the return outside nursing isn't documented and the completion odds cut against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southwestern Adventist University worth the cost?
Southwestern Adventist University's ROI is mixed - nursing graduates earn strong salaries around $67,000, but the overall 10-year earnings of $53,000 are modest for the $20,581 annual net price. The 41% graduation rate is concerning and affects the value proposition significantly.
What programs at Southwestern Adventist University have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Southwestern Adventist University offer the strongest return, with graduates earning around $67,000 annually. Other programs typically lead to much lower earnings, making nursing the clear standout for financial returns.
How much debt do Southwestern Adventist University graduates have?
Southwestern Adventist University graduates carry a median debt of $27,000. With overall graduate earnings averaging $53,000 after 10 years, this debt level is manageable but leaves limited room for financial flexibility.
Does Southwestern Adventist University have good financial aid?
The net price of $20,581 at Southwestern Adventist University suggests decent financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. However, nearly 60% of students don't graduate, which makes any investment risky regardless of aid levels.