Clarks Summit University provides accessible Christian higher education with strong support for first-generation and low-income students who might not otherwise attend college.
While earnings outcomes are modest, the university maintains excellent loan repayment performance and serves families seeking faith-based education at affordable prices.
Clarks Summit University is a small private Christian institution in Pennsylvania that serves a distinctive student population with strong access but faces challenges in long-term financial outcomes. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, and about 27% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds. The institution provides a close-knit, faith-centered educational experience typical of small Christian colleges.
Graduates earn a median of $38,818 ten years after enrollment, which places the university in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes. The university falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility category, meaning it successfully enrolls many low-income students but struggles to deliver the strong earnings outcomes that drive economic mobility. This pattern is common among smaller religious institutions that prioritize mission and community over career preparation in high-earning fields.
For families seeking an affordable Christian education with strong personal attention, Clarks Summit offers meaningful value. However, students focused primarily on maximizing long-term earning potential may find better financial returns at larger public universities or institutions with stronger career services and industry connections.
Clarks Summit University's academic focus centers heavily on Bible and Biblical Studies, which represents the institution's core mission and largest program. With 29 graduates annually earning around $25,709 two years after graduation, this program reflects the university's commitment to preparing students for ministry and religious education careers. The concentrated program portfolio means most students enter service-oriented fields where compensation aligns with mission rather than profit maximization.
The university's specialized focus creates a tight-knit academic community but limits the diversity of career pathways available to students. Unlike comprehensive universities that offer business, engineering, or healthcare programs leading to higher-earning careers, Clarks Summit's mission-driven approach channels most graduates toward religious organizations, Christian education, or social services. This specialization serves students well who are called to ministry or faith-based careers, though it results in more modest earnings compared with institutions offering broader program mixes in high-return fields.
Graduates of Clarks Summit University see modest long-term earnings compared with national averages. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $38,818, which places the institution in the lower third nationally for graduate earnings. The university's earnings outcomes reflect its focus on ministry, education, and service-oriented fields rather than high-paying technical or business careers.
The university's primary academic strength lies in Bible and Biblical Studies, which graduates 29 students annually with median earnings around $25,709 two years after graduation. While these earnings are modest, they align with typical compensation in ministry and religious education roles. The concentrated program focus means most students enter careers in religious organizations, education, or social services rather than high-earning corporate or technical fields. This mission-driven approach serves students well for their intended career paths, though it results in lower overall earnings compared with institutions offering broader program mixes in business, engineering, or healthcare.
Clarks Summit University offers relatively affordable access across income levels, making it accessible to families seeking private Christian education without the premium pricing of larger religious universities. Low-income students pay about $17,711 annually, middle-income families see costs around $21,530, and higher-income students pay approximately $26,284. These net prices are competitive within the private nonprofit sector and significantly lower than many comparable Christian institutions.
Debt levels remain manageable for most graduates. Students typically leave with about $18,034 in federal loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $14,246. The combination of modest net prices and reasonable debt loads helps ensure that graduates can service their loans even with the university's lower typical earnings. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that despite modest post-graduation incomes, students generally manage their debt obligations successfully.
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Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
