About Southwestern Christian College
Southwestern Christian College serves as one of the few historically black institutions affiliated with the Churches of Christ, educating just 128 students in the small town of Terrell, Texas. This tiny Christian college has maintained its mission of combining faith-based education with academic preparation since 1948. The campus draws students primarily from Texas and surrounding states, with 59% coming from in-state.
Students here face significant financial challenges despite extensive aid availability. Nearly 91% receive financial assistance, yet the average net price still reaches $16,870 annually. Graduates earn a median of $32,672 ten years after leaving, which creates steep loan repayment difficulties. Only 21% of borrowers successfully repay their federal loans, reflecting the economic struggles many face post-graduation.
The student body is overwhelmingly African American at 91%, with women comprising 58% of enrollment. The Rams compete in five NJCAA sports with 61 total athletes sharing $228,500 in athletic scholarships. Despite the close-knit community fostered by a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, academic outcomes remain challenging. The six-year graduation rate stands at 49%, while only 28% complete degrees in four years. The college's 94% employment rate suggests graduates find work, though often at modest wages.
Students here face significant financial challenges despite extensive aid availability. Nearly 91% receive financial assistance, yet the average net price still reaches $16,870 annually. Graduates earn a median of $32,672 ten years after leaving, which creates steep loan repayment difficulties. Only 21% of borrowers successfully repay their federal loans, reflecting the economic struggles many face post-graduation.
The student body is overwhelmingly African American at 91%, with women comprising 58% of enrollment. The Rams compete in five NJCAA sports with 61 total athletes sharing $228,500 in athletic scholarships. Despite the close-knit community fostered by a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, academic outcomes remain challenging. The six-year graduation rate stands at 49%, while only 28% complete degrees in four years. The college's 94% employment rate suggests graduates find work, though often at modest wages.
Academics & Faculty
Southwestern Christian College operates as a small historically black Christian institution with deep ties to the Churches of Christ denomination. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know students personally. With only 128 students enrolled, classes remain small and discussion-based. The college offers traditional liberal arts programs alongside biblical studies that reflect its religious mission. However, the 28.45% four-year graduation rate and 49.20% six-year graduation rate suggest students often need extra time to complete degrees. Many students require academic support to succeed, which the close-knit faculty can provide. The college emphasizes character development and spiritual growth alongside academic achievement in its curriculum.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 28.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $32,672
Campus Life
Southwestern Christian College sits in Terrell, about 30 miles east of Dallas, where students experience hot Texas summers and mild winters that rarely require heavy coats. With only 128 students enrolled, this historically black college creates an intimate campus where everyone knows each other. The housing capacity of 192 means most students can live on campus if they choose, fostering tight-knit residential communities centered around Christian fellowship.
The 90.63% Black student body reflects the college's proud HBCU heritage and Churches of Christ roots. Daily chapel services anchor campus life, while the 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally. Weekend activities often revolve around the five varsity sports teams, with 61 total athletes representing nearly half the student body. Students frequently head to nearby Dallas for entertainment and internships, though many prefer staying on campus for study groups, intramural activities, and church-sponsored events. The small size means limited social options, but students form lasting bonds through shared faith and academic collaboration.
The 90.63% Black student body reflects the college's proud HBCU heritage and Churches of Christ roots. Daily chapel services anchor campus life, while the 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally. Weekend activities often revolve around the five varsity sports teams, with 61 total athletes representing nearly half the student body. Students frequently head to nearby Dallas for entertainment and internships, though many prefer staying on campus for study groups, intramural activities, and church-sponsored events. The small size means limited social options, but students form lasting bonds through shared faith and academic collaboration.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 192 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1948
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 34°–56°F
- July Avg
- 73°–94°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 83.5"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.6"
Student Demographics
Southwestern Christian College draws a predominantly African American student body, with 91% of its 128 students identifying as Black. The college serves students from across the region, though 59% come from Texas. Nearly all students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's mission to provide Christian higher education to lower-income families. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, typical of many small Christian colleges. As one of the few historically Black institutions affiliated with the Churches of Christ, the college attracts students seeking both faith-based education and cultural community in a close-knit environment.
- Men
- 42.2%
- Women
- 57.8%
- White
- 0.0%
- Black
- 90.6%
- Hispanic
- 3.1%
- Asian
- 0.0%
- In-State Students
- 58.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 90.6%
Location
Southwestern Christian College sits in Terrell, Texas, about 30 miles east of Dallas. This small town of roughly 18,000 residents offers a quiet setting that contrasts sharply with the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex nearby. The 128-student campus benefits from easy access to big-city internships and cultural opportunities while maintaining its intimate, close-knit atmosphere. East Texas terrain features rolling hills and pine forests, creating a peaceful backdrop for academic focus. Terrell's location provides the best of both worlds for students who want small-town community but metropolitan access. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Southwestern Christian College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Terrell, Texas 75160-4812
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $32,672
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $25,405
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $20,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 20.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the student body composition at Southwestern Christian College?
The college enrolls just 128 students with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. As a historically black Christian college, 90.63% of students are Black with women comprising 57.81% of enrollment.
How much does Southwestern Christian College cost after financial aid?
Tuition stands at $12,121 regardless of residency status. With 90.57% of students receiving financial aid, the average net price comes to $16,870, making it accessible for families across income levels.
What academic programs does Southwestern Christian College offer?
The college operates on a semester system and maintains its mission as a Christian institution affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Students benefit from small class sizes with the 15:1 faculty ratio ensuring personalized attention.
What are the graduation rates at Southwestern Christian College?
The six-year graduation rate reaches 49.20% while the four-year rate stands at 28.45%. Despite these challenges, 94.1% of graduates find employment, though median earnings start at $13,326 in the first year after graduation.
Where do students live at Southwestern Christian College?
The campus in Terrell, Texas houses up to 192 students with room and board costing $7,042. This small-town setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere that supports the college's Christian mission.
Does Southwestern Christian College have athletics programs?
The Rams compete in the NJCAA with 5 varsity sports programs. The college supports 61 student-athletes with $228,500 in athletic scholarships, emphasizing both academic and athletic development.
