Heritage Bible College provides affordable access to private higher education for students from low-income backgrounds, with net costs well below typical private institutions.
The college's mission-driven approach serves families who prioritize faith-based education and affordability over maximum earnings outcomes.
Heritage Bible College is a small private nonprofit institution in Dunn, North Carolina, serving a predominantly low-income student population with strong affordability but modest long-term earnings outcomes. The college enrolls a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients at 77%, reflecting its commitment to serving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, though this comes with significant academic challenges including low completion rates.
The institution's primary strength lies in affordability, with low-income students paying just $12,706 annually in net price, well below national averages for private colleges. However, graduates face earnings challenges, with median 10-year earnings of $30,672 falling significantly below expectations for college graduates. The college also struggles with completion rates, with only 40% of students graduating within six years and 25% completing in four years.
As a specialized religious institution, Heritage Bible College serves a unique niche in North Carolina's higher education landscape. While it provides accessible education for students who might not otherwise attend college, families should carefully consider whether the combination of low completion rates and modest earnings outcomes aligns with their educational and financial goals. The college's mission-driven approach attracts students seeking faith-based education, but the academic and financial outcomes require realistic expectations about post-graduation prospects.
Heritage Bible College's program offerings reflect its specialized mission as a religious institution, though specific program-level data is limited in the available information. The college's focus on biblical and theological education aligns with its mission to prepare students for ministry and faith-based careers, which typically offer intrinsic rewards but modest financial compensation compared to secular career paths.
The absence of detailed program-level earnings data reflects both the college's small size and specialized focus. Students considering Heritage Bible College should understand that career outcomes will likely center on religious and community service roles, including pastoral ministry, religious education, missionary work, and faith-based nonprofit leadership. These career paths, while meaningful to those called to them, generally offer limited earning potential compared to business, technology, or healthcare fields.
For students whose career goals align with the college's religious mission, the program offerings provide relevant preparation despite modest financial returns. However, students uncertain about their calling or those seeking broader career flexibility might find the specialized curriculum limiting. The college's low completion rates suggest that even students initially drawn to its mission may struggle to persist through graduation, making careful consideration of academic preparedness and commitment essential for success.
Heritage Bible College graduates face significant earnings challenges compared to typical college outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $30,672, which falls well below national averages for college graduates and represents earnings that are nearly $2,885 below what would be expected for similar students at other institutions. These outcomes place the college among the lower-performing institutions nationally for long-term financial returns.
The earnings trajectory shows little improvement over time, with six-year earnings at $30,996 actually slightly higher than ten-year earnings, suggesting limited career growth for many graduates. This pattern reflects the specialized nature of the institution and the career paths typically pursued by graduates, which may include ministry, religious education, and other service-oriented fields that traditionally offer lower compensation but align with the college's mission and values.
For students considering Heritage Bible College, the financial return on investment requires careful consideration. While the low net price makes the education accessible, the modest earnings outcomes mean that even small amounts of student debt could present repayment challenges. Families should evaluate whether the college's specialized mission and community align with their values strongly enough to offset the limited financial returns, particularly given the institution's low completion rates and the risk that students may not finish their degrees.
Heritage Bible College demonstrates strong affordability, particularly for low-income students who represent the majority of its enrollment. With a net price of $12,706 for low-income families, the college provides one of the more accessible private education options in North Carolina, making higher education possible for students who might otherwise be priced out of private institutions. This affordability reflects both the college's mission to serve economically disadvantaged students and its relatively low operating costs as a small, specialized institution.
The college's affordability advantage becomes even more pronounced when considering that 77% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that most families qualify for significant federal aid. However, the lack of available data on middle- and high-income net prices suggests that the college primarily serves lower-income populations, with limited enrollment from families in higher income brackets. The federal loan default rate of 0% indicates that while earnings are modest, most graduates who borrow are able to avoid default, though this may reflect low borrowing levels rather than strong repayment capacity.
For families prioritizing affordability over earnings outcomes, Heritage Bible College offers a viable path to higher education. The combination of low net prices and mission-driven education can provide value for students whose goals align with the institution's religious focus, though families should carefully consider the trade-offs between immediate affordability and long-term financial outcomes when making their college choice.
Heritage Bible College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
