Belhaven University provides meaningful educational access for students who might otherwise be unable to afford private higher education, with particularly strong support for first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
The combination of low net prices and zero default rates creates a sustainable pathway for families seeking a private college experience without overwhelming financial burden.
Belhaven University is a small private nonprofit institution in Jackson, Mississippi, that serves a diverse student body with strong access for underrepresented populations. Nearly 45% of students receive Pell Grants and about 40% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's commitment to educational opportunity. While Belhaven's graduates earn a median of $46,440 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower quartile nationally for earnings outcomes, the university provides meaningful value through its affordable pricing structure and supportive environment.
The university's strength lies in its accessibility and personal approach to education. With low net prices across all income levels—particularly the $16,855 annual cost for low-income families—Belhaven makes private higher education attainable for students who might otherwise be priced out. The institution maintains a 51% six-year graduation rate while serving a population that faces significant economic challenges, demonstrating its ability to support students through degree completion.
As a small private university, Belhaven offers the intimate campus experience and individualized attention that many students seek, combined with a mission-driven approach that emphasizes both academic and personal development in a Christian context.
Belhaven University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive private institution serving diverse student interests and career goals. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program with 258 graduates and the strongest financial performer, generating median earnings of $45,636 ten years after graduation. This program serves as the university's primary economic engine, combining substantial enrollment with competitive outcomes that approach the institutional median.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents another significant area of focus with 40 graduates, though earnings outcomes at $22,534 reflect the typically modest compensation in fitness and recreation fields. Clinical Research Coordinator programs, while smaller with 38 graduates, produce solid middle-ground earnings of $38,289, demonstrating the university's ability to prepare students for specialized healthcare support roles.
The program mix reflects Belhaven's character as a teaching-focused institution that prepares students for service-oriented careers in business, healthcare, education, and social services. While these fields may not generate the highest earnings compared to technical or engineering programs at research universities, they align with the university's mission and provide meaningful career pathways for graduates who often enter professions focused on community service and personal fulfillment rather than maximum financial return.
Graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $46,440 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower quartile nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. While these earnings are modest compared to larger research universities, they represent meaningful economic progress for many graduates, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who comprise nearly half the student body. The university shows a small positive earnings advantage of about $755 compared with similar institutions, suggesting that Belhaven provides reasonable value within its peer group of small private colleges.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly across fields of study. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program with 258 graduates, produces the strongest financial returns with median earnings of $45,636 ten years out. This program serves as the institution's primary economic engine, combining substantial enrollment with competitive pay outcomes. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, another popular major with 40 graduates, shows more modest earnings at $22,534, while Clinical Research Coordinator programs produce median earnings of $38,289 for their 38 graduates.
The university's career outcomes reflect its mission as a teaching-focused institution serving students who often enter fields like education, social services, and healthcare—sectors that provide meaningful work but typically offer more modest compensation than high-paying technical or business fields found at larger research universities.
Belhaven University demonstrates strong affordability across all income levels, making private higher education accessible to families who might otherwise be unable to afford it. Low-income students pay an average net price of $16,855 annually, which is substantially below what most private institutions charge and competitive with many public universities. Middle-income families see annual costs around $24,853, while high-income families pay approximately $25,276—pricing that remains predictable and manageable compared to typical private college costs.
The university's financial aid approach helps keep debt levels reasonable for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $26,333 in federal student loan debt, a moderate level that reflects both the institution's affordable pricing and its student population's financial circumstances. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $10,015, indicating that many families can cover a substantial portion of costs through grants, work-study, and personal resources rather than relying heavily on parent loans.
What makes Belhaven particularly sustainable financially is how the debt levels align with typical graduate earnings. While earnings are modest at $46,440 ten years out, the debt-to-income ratio remains within manageable bounds for most borrowers, and the university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully meeting their repayment obligations despite the economic challenges many face.
Belhaven University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
