Brescia University excels at making private higher education accessible and affordable for students from diverse economic backgrounds, with particularly strong support for first-generation college students.
The university's commitment to affordability and student success is reflected in its generous financial aid and zero default rate among borrowers.
Brescia University is a small private nonprofit institution in Owensboro, Kentucky, that serves a diverse student body with nearly 43% receiving Pell Grants and 45% being first-generation college students. While the university's earnings outcomes place it in the 27th percentile nationally, what distinguishes Brescia is its commitment to affordability and access for students who might not otherwise attend college.
The university demonstrates particular strength in keeping costs manageable across income levels. Low-income students pay about $14,897 annually, while middle-income families see even lower net prices around $12,467, reflecting generous financial aid policies. This affordability focus helps explain why Brescia ranks in the 65th percentile nationally for affordability, making it accessible to families across the economic spectrum.
As a small Catholic institution, Brescia emphasizes personalized education and service-oriented programs. The university's graduates earn a median of $45,500 ten years after enrollment, with many finding meaningful careers in social work, education, and community service fields. For students prioritizing affordability, community, and values-based education over maximum earnings potential, Brescia offers a distinctive path through higher education.
Brescia University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a service-oriented institution, with Forensic Social Work standing out as the largest and most distinctive program. This specialized field, which combines social work principles with criminal justice applications, graduates 62 students annually who earn around $33,077 in their early careers. While these earnings are modest compared to business or engineering programs, they represent competitive compensation within the social work field and align with the university's emphasis on community service and social justice.
The dominance of social work programs at Brescia reflects both the university's Catholic mission and the career interests of its student body, many of whom are first-generation college students drawn to helping professions. These programs prepare graduates for meaningful careers in child welfare, victim advocacy, criminal justice, and community mental health, fields that prioritize social impact over maximum earnings potential.
As a small institution, Brescia's program scale allows for personalized attention and close faculty mentorship, which can be particularly valuable in fields like social work where professional relationships and practical experience are crucial for career development. The university's focused approach means students receive specialized training in their chosen fields, even if the overall program portfolio is narrower than at larger institutions.
Brescia University graduates earn a median of $45,500 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 27th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. While these outcomes are modest compared to larger research universities, they reflect the university's focus on service-oriented fields and the career paths typical of small liberal arts institutions. Graduates do benefit from earnings that exceed expectations by about $6,695 compared with similar students at other institutions, suggesting the university adds meaningful value despite lower absolute earnings levels.
The university's program portfolio centers heavily on social work and human services, with Forensic Social Work being the largest program graduating 62 students annually. These graduates earn around $33,077 early in their careers, which aligns with typical compensation in social work and community service fields. While these earnings are lower than those in business or engineering, they reflect meaningful career paths focused on community impact rather than maximum financial return.
For students entering fields like social work, education, and human services, Brescia's outcomes are competitive within those sectors. The university's small size and personalized approach help students develop the skills and connections needed for success in service-oriented careers, even if those fields don't typically offer the highest salaries available in the broader job market.
Brescia University stands out for its strong affordability across all income levels, ranking in the 65th percentile nationally. Low-income students pay approximately $14,897 per year, while middle-income families see even lower costs at about $12,467 annually. This unusual pattern, where middle-income families pay less than low-income students, reflects targeted financial aid strategies that make the university accessible to working-class families who might not qualify for maximum federal aid but still need substantial support.
High-income families pay about $20,215 annually, which remains reasonable for a private institution. The university's commitment to affordability is evident in how it structures aid to keep costs predictable and manageable across the income spectrum. This approach helps explain why nearly 43% of students receive Pell Grants and 45% are first-generation college students, populations that often face the greatest financial barriers to higher education.
Debt levels at Brescia are moderate, with typical graduates carrying about $29,430 in federal student loans and families borrowing an average of $13,063 through Parent PLUS programs. Given the university's focus on service-oriented careers with modest starting salaries, these debt levels require careful planning, but the institution's low default rate of 0% suggests graduates are generally able to manage their obligations successfully.
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