Students at Christian Brothers University benefit from earnings beyond expectations that place the institution among the stronger performers nationally for return on investment.
The university combines above-average long-term outcomes with exceptional affordability, creating sustainable pathways to career success.
Christian Brothers University ranks as a solid choice among private nonprofit institutions, delivering above-average earnings outcomes while maintaining strong affordability through generous financial aid. Located in Memphis, this small Catholic university serves about 31% Pell Grant recipients and 36% first-generation students, creating a diverse learning environment within a close-knit campus setting. The university's 56% six-year graduation rate reflects its commitment to student success, while graduates achieve a median income of $57,478 ten years after enrollment.
What distinguishes Christian Brothers University is its ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations—graduates earn nearly $4,736 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide. This performance places the university in the "Selective Achievers" category, combining solid outcomes with meaningful access for students from various economic backgrounds. The institution's strength lies particularly in engineering and business programs, where small class sizes and personalized attention translate into strong career preparation.
As a private university with a clear mission and focused academic programs, Christian Brothers University offers the benefits of a larger research institution's outcomes within the supportive framework of a small college environment. For students who thrive in close-knit academic communities and value both affordability and career preparation, this combination makes CBU an attractive option in the competitive landscape of private higher education.
Christian Brothers University's program portfolio reflects a focused approach to career preparation, with particular strength in engineering and business fields that drive the institution's strong return on investment. Mechanical Engineering leads in earnings outcomes with graduates earning around $64,493 ten years after graduation, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in preparing students for high-demand technical careers in manufacturing, aerospace, and consulting.
Business Administration represents the university's largest program by enrollment with 57 graduates, combining substantial scale with solid median earnings of $36,560. This program serves as an economic engine for the institution, preparing students for careers in management, finance, and entrepreneurship throughout the Memphis region and beyond. The Natural Sciences program, while showing more modest early earnings at $20,824, provides essential preparation for students pursuing graduate studies in medicine, research, and advanced technical fields.
The concentrated nature of CBU's program offerings allows for deep faculty expertise and strong industry connections within each field. As a small institution, the university can maintain close relationships with regional employers and provide personalized career guidance that helps students maximize their potential in their chosen fields. This focused approach, combined with the university's commitment to hands-on learning and professional development, explains why graduates across programs consistently achieve earnings that exceed expectations for institutions of similar size and selectivity.
Christian Brothers University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that exceed expectations for an institution of its size and selectivity. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $57,478, with the university delivering earnings beyond expectations of nearly $4,736 compared with similar students at other institutions nationwide. This performance places CBU in the top 40% nationally for return on investment, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers.
The university's program mix drives much of this success, with particular strength in engineering and business fields. Mechanical Engineering stands out as the highest-earning program, with graduates earning around $64,493 ten years out, while the Business Administration program combines strong enrollment of 57 graduates with solid median earnings of $36,560. Natural Sciences, while showing more modest early earnings at $20,824, represents the university's commitment to foundational STEM education that often leads to graduate school and advanced career opportunities.
What makes CBU's return particularly impressive is how consistently graduates across different majors achieve financial success relative to their starting points. The university's small size allows for personalized career guidance and strong industry connections, particularly in the Memphis metropolitan area, where many graduates find opportunities in logistics, healthcare, engineering, and business services. This combination of targeted academic programs and regional employer relationships helps explain why CBU graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations.
Christian Brothers University demonstrates exceptional affordability across all income levels, ranking in the top 20% nationally for keeping costs manageable for families. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $8,886 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $12,547 per year—both figures representing substantial discounts from the university's sticker price through generous financial aid packages. Even high-income families benefit from merit-based aid, with net prices averaging $9,103, making CBU accessible across a broad economic spectrum.
The university's commitment to affordability extends beyond initial pricing to sustainable debt levels. Typical graduates leave with $27,000 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount given the strong earnings outcomes CBU delivers. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $15,871, reflecting the university's success in keeping family borrowing at reasonable levels. With a 0% federal loan default rate, CBU graduates demonstrate exceptional ability to manage their educational investments successfully.
What makes CBU particularly attractive from a financial perspective is how the combination of strong aid and solid earnings creates a sustainable path to degree completion. The university's loan repayment patterns show borrowers making steady progress on their balances, with repayment rates consistently above national averages. This financial sustainability, combined with the personalized attention that comes with a small private university environment, creates a compelling value proposition for families seeking both quality education and financial responsibility.
Christian Brothers University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
