Southeastern University offers a distinctive private Christian educational experience in central Florida, though families should expect modest financial returns relative to the substantial investment required.
The university provides access to some underrepresented students but faces challenges in delivering strong economic mobility outcomes.
Southeastern University is a private nonprofit institution in Lakeland, Florida, serving a medium-sized student body with a focus on Christian higher education. While the university provides a distinctive faith-based educational experience, its financial outcomes place it in the lower tier among similar institutions nationwide. Graduates earn a median of $46,744 ten years after enrollment, which falls in the 29th percentile nationally, meaning most comparable universities produce stronger long-term earnings.
The university serves a moderately diverse student population, with about 22% receiving Pell Grants and 35% being first-generation college students. However, as an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Southeastern faces challenges in converting access into strong upward mobility outcomes. Low-income students earn about $35,300 ten years out, placing the university in the bottom quartile for mobility outcomes.
For families drawn to Southeastern's mission and campus culture, the financial trade-offs are significant. Net prices range from $28,140 for low-income families to nearly $32,000 for higher-income households, representing substantial costs relative to the earnings graduates typically achieve. The university's value proposition centers on its educational philosophy and community rather than economic returns.
Southeastern University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a Christian institution, with Business Administration serving as the primary academic focus. The Business program graduates 116 students annually with median earnings of $30,119 ten years out, making it both the largest and highest aggregate return major. Adult and Continuing Education, while much smaller at 21 graduates, shows stronger individual earnings at $37,208, likely reflecting the specialized nature of this field.
The limited program data available suggests Southeastern maintains a focused academic portfolio rather than the broad range of majors typical at larger universities. This concentration aligns with the institution's Christian mission and may reflect deliberate choices to emphasize fields that support ministry, education, and service-oriented careers. However, the modest earnings outcomes across available programs indicate that students prioritizing maximum financial returns might find stronger options at institutions with more extensive offerings in high-earning fields like engineering, computer science, or healthcare.
For students drawn to Southeastern's distinctive educational approach, the program mix offers clear pathways into careers that align with Christian values and service orientation. The trade-off is that these career paths typically offer more modest financial compensation than alternatives available at universities with broader academic portfolios and stronger connections to high-earning industries.
Graduates of Southeastern University face modest long-term financial outcomes compared with other private universities. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $46,744, placing the institution in the 29th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. This means that roughly seven out of ten comparable institutions produce stronger financial returns for their students. The university's value-added earnings are slightly negative, suggesting graduates earn somewhat less than similar students at other institutions might expect.
Among Southeastern's programs, Business Administration stands out as both the largest major with 116 graduates and the highest aggregate return program, though individual earnings in this field average $30,119 at the ten-year mark. Adult and Continuing Education, while smaller with 21 graduates, shows stronger individual outcomes at $37,208. The limited program data reflects Southeastern's focused academic portfolio, which emphasizes fields aligned with the university's Christian mission rather than high-earning technical or professional disciplines.
The earnings outcomes reflect both the university's program mix and the career paths typically chosen by graduates of faith-based institutions. Many students pursue service-oriented careers in education, ministry, and social work that offer personal fulfillment but more modest financial compensation. For students whose primary goals include spiritual development and community engagement, these earnings levels may align with their broader life priorities.
Affordability represents a significant challenge at Southeastern University, with net prices that place substantial financial pressure on most families. Low-income students pay about $28,140 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $29,297, and higher-income households pay nearly $32,000 per year. These prices place Southeastern in the 9th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning it costs more than roughly 91% of comparable institutions.
The high net prices become particularly concerning when viewed alongside the university's modest earnings outcomes. Students typically graduate with $21,500 in federal loan debt, and families often take on an additional $19,000 in Parent PLUS loans to cover the remaining costs. While the university reports a 0% federal loan default rate, this likely reflects the socioeconomic profile of families who can afford to attend rather than the sustainability of the debt loads relative to post-graduation earnings.
For many families, Southeastern's pricing structure requires careful financial planning and often significant family contributions beyond what federal aid and reasonable borrowing can cover. The premium pricing reflects the costs of operating a private institution with smaller class sizes and specialized programming, but families should weigh these benefits against the financial opportunity costs of choosing Southeastern over more affordable alternatives.
Southeastern University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
