At $16,870/yr net price, Southwestern Christian College graduates earn $32,672/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,870 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $67,480 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,672/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,328/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.2% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,612/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,700/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,701/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,675/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,374/yr |
The Risk Factor
49.2% of students at Southwestern Christian College 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 Christian College delivers weak financial returns with median earnings of just $32,672 ten years after graduation against a net price of $16,870 annually. Your investment faces serious headwinds in the Dallas-Fort Worth job market where this salary barely covers basic living expenses.
The 49% graduation rate creates immediate financial risk since you pay the same tuition whether you finish or not. With over 90% of students receiving financial aid, the college clearly recognizes affordability challenges but cannot solve the underlying earnings problem.
Business and education majors typically fare better at historically black colleges like Southwestern Christian, but even these programs struggle to justify costs when local community colleges offer similar career preparation at fraction of the price. Liberal arts and humanities concentrations present particularly poor financial prospects given the regional job market.
You might consider this school if you value the tight-knit Christian community and can secure substantial need-based aid or merit scholarships that drive your actual costs below $10,000 annually. The college offers some merit awards, but these rarely cover enough to make the numbers work.
Look elsewhere if maximizing earnings potential matters to your financial future. Texas public universities deliver stronger career outcomes at lower costs, while regional employers show little preference for Southwestern Christian graduates. The combination of high dropout risk, modest earning potential, and limited regional recognition makes this a financially risky choice for most students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southwestern Christian College worth the money?
Southwestern Christian College graduates earn a median of $32,672 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $16,870 per year and a 49% graduation rate, the return on investment is weak compared to other colleges.
Do Southwestern Christian College graduates make good money?
No, Southwestern Christian College graduates typically earn $32,672 annually ten years after starting college. This income level makes it difficult to justify the cost of attendance for most students seeking strong financial returns.
What is the graduation rate at Southwestern Christian College?
Southwestern Christian College has a 49% graduation rate, meaning about half of students who start there never finish their degree. This creates additional financial risk since students may accumulate debt without completing their program.
Should I take out loans to attend Southwestern Christian College?
Taking loans for Southwestern Christian College carries significant risk given the low graduate earnings and poor graduation rate. Students should exhaust all grant and scholarship options first, as the typical graduate income may make loan repayment challenging.