Central Baptist College offers an affordable pathway to private education, with net prices that make faith-based higher education accessible to families across income levels.
The college serves as an important access point for first-generation and Pell-eligible students seeking specialized preparation for ministry and related service careers.
Central Baptist College is a small private nonprofit institution in Conway, Arkansas, serving students who seek a faith-centered education with strong affordability. The college maintains accessible net prices across income levels, with low-income students paying around $13,632 annually and middle-income families facing costs of about $15,427 per year. These figures place the institution at reasonable affordability levels compared with similar private colleges nationwide.
The college serves a diverse student body, with 42% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 35% being first-generation college students. While graduation rates present challenges, with a six-year completion rate of 35%, the institution provides educational access for students who might not otherwise pursue higher education. The college's small size allows for personalized attention and close faculty-student relationships that can be particularly valuable for students needing additional academic support.
Central Baptist College operates with a clear mission focus, primarily serving students interested in biblical studies and ministry preparation. The college's outcomes reflect this specialized mission, with graduates earning a median of $46,789 ten years after enrollment. While these earnings are below national averages for college graduates, they align with typical compensation in ministry and related service fields where many graduates pursue careers.
Central Baptist College's academic program portfolio centers on its core mission of biblical and ministry education. The college's primary program, Bible/Biblical Studies, graduates 24 students annually with median earnings of $41,937 ten years after graduation. This program represents the institution's fundamental purpose and attracts students who are called to ministry, religious education, and related service fields where personal fulfillment often takes precedence over financial compensation.
The concentration in biblical studies reflects the college's specialized mission rather than a limitation in program diversity. Students who choose Central Baptist College typically do so because they seek intensive preparation for careers in ministry, religious leadership, and faith-based community service. The program's outcomes align with typical compensation in these fields, where graduates often find meaningful work that provides spiritual and personal satisfaction even when financial returns are modest.
For prospective students, it's important to understand that Central Baptist College's program focus serves a specific calling and career path. The college excels at preparing students for ministry and related fields, providing the theological foundation, practical skills, and spiritual development necessary for effective religious leadership. While earnings may be lower than in other professional fields, graduates typically enter careers where they can make significant contributions to their communities and live out their faith through their work.
Central Baptist College graduates earn a median of $46,789 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower range of earnings outcomes nationally. The college's return profile reflects its mission as a faith-based institution where many graduates pursue careers in ministry, biblical studies, and related service fields that typically offer modest financial compensation but significant personal and spiritual fulfillment.
The college's strongest program by aggregate return is Bible/Biblical Studies, which graduates 24 students annually with median earnings of $41,937 ten years out. This program represents the institution's core mission and attracts students who prioritize calling over financial return. The concentration in biblical and ministry-focused programs means that traditional measures of financial return may not fully capture the value graduates receive from their education, as many enter fields where compensation is modest but personal satisfaction and community impact are significant.
For students considering Central Baptist College, it's important to understand that the financial outcomes reflect the career paths typically chosen by graduates rather than limitations in educational quality. The college serves students who are drawn to ministry, religious education, and community service roles where earnings are generally lower than in business, technology, or healthcare fields but where graduates often find meaningful work aligned with their values and calling.
Central Baptist College offers strong affordability across income levels, making private education accessible to families who might otherwise find it financially challenging. Low-income students pay a net price of $13,632 annually, while middle-income families face costs of about $15,427 per year, and higher-income families pay around $19,991. These prices are competitive with many public institutions and significantly lower than typical private college costs, reflecting the institution's commitment to educational access.
The college's financial aid approach helps keep education affordable for its target population. With 42% of students receiving Pell Grants, the institution clearly serves many lower-income families who benefit from the reduced net prices. The college's small size and focused mission allow it to maintain lower operational costs, which translates into more affordable tuition and fees for students and families.
Debt levels at Central Baptist College are manageable relative to the institution's affordability profile. Students typically graduate with about $22,250 in federal loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $11,920. These debt levels, while requiring careful financial planning given the modest earnings outcomes, remain within reasonable bounds for families who understand the career paths their students are likely to pursue after graduation.
Central Baptist College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
