Andrews University stands out for its exceptional affordability for middle-income families, with net prices significantly below typical private university levels.
The university's zero percent default rate and solid graduation outcomes reflect its commitment to student success and financial responsibility.
Andrews University is a small private nonprofit institution in Berrien Springs, Michigan, serving approximately 3,000 students in a close-knit academic community. As a Seventh-day Adventist university, Andrews combines liberal arts education with professional programs, particularly in health sciences, education, and theology. The university maintains moderate selectivity while providing access to students from diverse backgrounds, with about 22% of students receiving Pell Grants and 17% being first-generation college students.
Graduates earn a median of $53,187 ten years after enrollment, placing the university around the middle of the national distribution for long-term earnings. While earnings outcomes are solid, they tend to align with national averages rather than exceeding expectations significantly. The university's strength lies in its affordability structure, particularly for middle-income families who pay an average net price of $13,563 annually.
Andrews University appeals to students seeking a faith-based education in a small-town setting with strong community connections. The university's 66% six-year graduation rate reflects steady academic support, while its focus on service-oriented professions like nursing, education, and ministry aligns with students who prioritize meaningful work alongside financial stability.
Andrews University's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven focus on service professions and community impact. The university's standout program is Adult Health Nursing, which graduates about 20 students annually with strong early-career earnings around $52,107. This program exemplifies Andrews' strength in health sciences, combining solid financial outcomes with meaningful work in healthcare settings where graduates can make direct contributions to patient care and community health.
The university's approach to program development emphasizes quality over quantity, with smaller cohorts that receive personalized attention and strong faculty mentorship. This model works particularly well for professional programs that require hands-on training and clinical experience, such as nursing and other health-related fields. Students benefit from close relationships with faculty and extensive practical experience that prepares them well for professional licensure and employment.
Andrews University's program mix aligns with its Seventh-day Adventist mission, emphasizing careers in healthcare, education, ministry, and social services. While these fields may not always command the highest salaries, they offer job security, personal fulfillment, and opportunities for community service that appeal to students seeking meaningful work alongside financial stability.
Andrews University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that align with national averages for similar institutions. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $53,187, placing the university in the middle range nationally. While these outcomes represent steady financial progress, they tend to meet rather than exceed expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
The university's strongest financial outcomes come from its health sciences programs, particularly nursing. Adult Health Nursing graduates, representing one of the university's most successful programs, earn around $52,107 early in their careers while entering a field with strong job security and advancement potential. This program combines solid early earnings with the stability that comes from working in healthcare, a sector with consistent demand and clear career progression paths.
Andrews University's career outcomes reflect its mission-driven focus on service professions. Many graduates enter fields like healthcare, education, ministry, and social services—careers that provide meaningful work and community impact, even if they don't always command the highest salaries. The university's emphasis on developing both professional skills and personal values creates graduates who are well-prepared for careers that balance financial stability with purpose-driven work.
Andrews University offers particularly strong affordability for middle-income families, with net prices that are notably lower than many private institutions. Middle-income students pay an average of $13,563 annually, while low-income students face costs of about $17,008 per year. High-income families pay approximately $24,813, reflecting the university's commitment to making private education accessible across income levels.
The university's financial aid structure helps keep debt levels manageable for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $26,000 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable amount given the university's private status and the earning potential of its graduates. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,575, indicating that many families choose to contribute directly to their student's education costs. With a 0% federal loan default rate, Andrews demonstrates that its graduates are generally able to manage their debt obligations successfully after graduation.
What makes Andrews particularly sustainable financially is the combination of moderate debt levels and predictable career outcomes. The university's focus on stable professions like healthcare and education means graduates typically enter fields with clear employment pathways and steady income growth, making debt repayment manageable over time.
Andrews University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
