Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 57.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.9%
- Retention Rate
- 73.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $59,541
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 65.7%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $233/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $116,679 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $91,300 | $18,930 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $59,124 | |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,697 | $26,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $34,348 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,043 | |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,960 | $16,266 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $28,019 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $17,950 |
Outcomes Overview
Vanguard graduates enter the workforce with manageable debt loads. The median debt of $22,000 creates monthly payments of $233, consuming just 4.7% of typical graduate income. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 sits well below the concerning 1.0 threshold that financial advisors warn against. The university's strong ties to Christian ministry and nonprofit work influence career paths, though many graduates also enter business, education, and healthcare fields. An impressive 95.6% employment rate demonstrates solid job market outcomes. The $59,541 median earnings after 10 years provide comfortable repayment capacity. Given the low debt burden and strong employment outcomes, Vanguard offers a strong return on investment for students seeking faith-integrated education.