Students at Jarvis Christian University benefit from exceptionally affordable private college education, with net prices well below typical private institutions nationwide.
The university's strength lies in providing educational access and personal development opportunities for first-generation and low-income students in an intimate campus setting.
Jarvis Christian University is a small private nonprofit institution in Hawkins, Texas, that serves a predominantly first-generation and low-income student population. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, and nearly 46% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's mission to provide educational access to underserved communities. The institution offers notably affordable net prices, with low-income students paying around $8,342 annually and middle-income families paying about $11,035, making it one of the more affordable private college options in Texas.
While Jarvis Christian University faces challenges with graduation rates and long-term earnings outcomes, it provides valuable educational access and personal development opportunities for students who might not otherwise attend college. The university's small size allows for close faculty-student relationships and individualized attention that can be particularly beneficial for first-generation students navigating higher education. For families prioritizing affordability and access over earnings outcomes, Jarvis Christian represents an important pathway to higher education and personal growth.
The institution operates within the broader landscape of historically black colleges and universities, serving students who value community, cultural connection, and educational opportunity. While earnings outcomes are modest compared to larger research universities, the university's role in providing access to higher education for underrepresented students remains significant in the Texas educational ecosystem.
Jarvis Christian University's academic portfolio centers on two primary areas that reflect the institution's focus on practical, career-oriented education. Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents the university's largest program by economic impact, graduating 22 students annually who earn a median of $23,456 early in their careers. This program likely prepares students for roles in fitness, rehabilitation, and health promotion, though graduates typically need additional certifications or advanced degrees to achieve competitive salaries in these fields.
Business Administration and Management serves as the university's other major program, graduating 20 students with median earnings around $21,234. This foundational business program provides broad exposure to management principles, accounting, and organizational behavior, though graduates often require additional experience or specialization to advance into higher-paying business roles. The modest earnings in both programs reflect broader challenges in the regional job market and the need for graduates to pursue additional professional development.
The concentration in these two fields suggests that Jarvis Christian focuses on accessible, practical programs rather than specialized or technical disciplines that might command higher starting salaries. While this approach serves the university's mission of providing educational access, it also limits graduates' immediate earning potential and may require them to pursue additional credentials or geographic mobility to achieve stronger financial outcomes.
Graduates of Jarvis Christian University face significant challenges in the job market, with median earnings of $32,992 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the bottom 2% nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. The university's graduates earn substantially less than what would be expected based on student characteristics and institutional factors, with earnings falling about $9,005 below expectations compared to similar students at other institutions. This earnings gap reflects broader challenges in translating educational access into strong economic outcomes.
The university's program portfolio centers on Exercise Science and Kinesiology, which graduates 22 students annually with median earnings around $23,456, and Business Administration, which graduates 20 students with earnings near $21,234. These represent the institution's largest and most economically significant programs, though both produce earnings well below national averages for their respective fields. The concentration in these areas reflects the university's focus on health, wellness, and business fundamentals, but graduates typically need additional credentials or experience to achieve competitive salaries.
Only 22 graduates across all programs earn more than $75,000 annually, highlighting the limited high-earning opportunities available to alumni. The modest earnings outcomes suggest that students may need to pursue additional education, professional development, or geographic mobility to achieve stronger financial results after graduation.
Jarvis Christian University excels in affordability, particularly for low- and middle-income families seeking private college education. Low-income students pay a net price of just $8,342 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $11,035, making the university significantly more affordable than most private institutions. Even high-income families pay a relatively modest $16,092 per year, reflecting the institution's commitment to accessible pricing across income levels.
The university's financial aid approach helps keep upfront costs manageable, though students typically graduate with substantial debt relative to their earning potential. Federal student loan debt averages $27,000, which represents a significant burden given the modest post-graduation earnings. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $9,000, a relatively low amount that suggests families are cautious about taking on additional debt or may lack access to larger loan amounts. The combination of low net prices and moderate debt levels reflects the university's efforts to serve price-sensitive families while managing the financial realities of operating a small private institution.
Jarvis Christian University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
