Culver-Stockton College offers an affordable private college experience with net prices that are reasonable across income levels and a track record of graduates successfully managing their loan obligations.
The college provides access for first-generation and Pell-eligible students seeking a small, personal educational environment, though earnings outcomes are more modest than at larger institutions.
Culver-Stockton College is a small private nonprofit institution in Canton, Missouri, serving about 36% Pell Grant recipients and 32% first-generation college students. As a small liberal arts college, it provides an intimate educational environment with close faculty-student relationships, though this comes with trade-offs in terms of long-term financial outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $46,092 ten years after enrollment, which places the college in the bottom quartile nationally for earnings performance.
The college's mobility outcomes reflect the challenges many small private institutions face in today's economy. While it provides reasonable access for students from diverse economic backgrounds, graduates from low-income families earn about $35,700 ten years out, and the institution falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" category for economic mobility. This means it serves students who need opportunity but struggles to deliver the strong earnings outcomes seen at larger universities.
For families prioritizing a small-college experience and manageable costs over maximum earning potential, Culver-Stockton offers a traditional liberal arts education at net prices that are more affordable than many private colleges. However, prospective students should carefully weigh the long-term financial implications of their investment.
Culver-Stockton College's academic portfolio is concentrated in just a few major areas, which limits students' options for high-earning career paths. Business Administration represents the college's strongest program both in terms of enrollment and financial outcomes, graduating 25 students annually with median earnings of $40,281 ten years after graduation. While this represents solid middle-class earning potential, it falls short of the outcomes seen in business programs at larger universities with stronger industry connections.
Psychology is the college's other major program, also graduating 25 students annually, but with more challenging financial outcomes. Psychology majors earn a median of $26,585 ten years out, reflecting the field's typically lower starting salaries and the additional education often required for higher-paying positions. This earnings level, while not uncommon for psychology graduates nationally, represents a significant financial challenge when combined with typical student loan obligations.
The concentration in just these two fields means students have limited exposure to higher-earning disciplines like engineering, computer science, or specialized health programs that drive strong outcomes at larger institutions. For students whose interests align with business or psychology and who value the small-college environment, Culver-Stockton provides solid preparation, but those seeking maximum earning potential may want to consider institutions with broader program portfolios and stronger industry connections.
Graduates of Culver-Stockton College face more modest long-term earnings compared to typical four-year institutions. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $46,092, which places the college in the bottom quartile nationally for graduate earnings. The college's "earnings beyond expectations" performance is also below average, with graduates earning about $5,500 less than similar students at other institutions, suggesting that the investment may not pay off as strongly as alternatives.
The college's limited program portfolio affects earning potential. Business Administration graduates, who represent the largest and highest-return program, earn about $40,281 ten years out — a solid but not exceptional outcome. Psychology majors, the other significant program, see more challenging financial outcomes with median earnings of $26,585. With only these two major programs producing substantial numbers of graduates, students have fewer pathways to high-earning careers compared to larger institutions with more diverse academic offerings.
While 27 graduates earn more than $75,000 annually, this represents a small fraction of the total graduate population. The college's small scale and limited program diversity mean fewer opportunities for the kind of high-return majors — like engineering, computer science, or specialized business fields — that drive strong earnings at larger universities.
Culver-Stockton College offers reasonable affordability across income levels, though families should weigh costs carefully against expected outcomes. Low-income students pay about $16,859 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net prices around $22,385, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,597. These prices are competitive with many private colleges and significantly lower than the sticker price, reflecting the institution's commitment to making private education accessible.
Debt levels are manageable but require careful consideration given the earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with $26,000 in federal student loan debt, while families who use Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $20,000. With median graduate earnings of $46,092, the monthly payments on this debt load are feasible but represent a meaningful portion of take-home pay, especially in the early career years when earnings are typically lower.
The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are generally able to meet their repayment obligations. However, the loan repayment trajectory shows that many borrowers take several years to make meaningful progress on their balances, with substantial amounts still outstanding even four years after graduation.
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Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
