Southwest Baptist University prioritizes personal development and service-oriented career preparation within a faith-based educational environment.
The university maintains consistent affordability across income levels while serving meaningful numbers of first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
Southwest Baptist University is a small private nonprofit institution in Bolivar, Missouri, that serves students seeking a faith-centered educational experience. While the university ranks in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $43,112 ten years after enrollment, it provides a distinctive educational environment focused on personal development and service-oriented career preparation. About 35% of students receive Pell Grants and 35% are first-generation college students, indicating meaningful access for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The university's approach emphasizes smaller class sizes, close faculty relationships, and values-based education rather than maximizing financial returns. Graduates typically enter fields like nursing, education, and human services where earnings may be more modest but personal satisfaction and community impact are significant factors. Net prices remain relatively affordable across income levels, with low-income students paying around $22,672 annually and middle-income families seeing costs of approximately $20,785.
For students who value a tight-knit campus community, faith integration in academics, and preparation for service-oriented careers, Southwest Baptist offers an environment that prioritizes personal growth and mission alignment over purely financial outcomes. The university serves students who understand that their career paths may emphasize purpose and community impact alongside economic considerations.
Southwest Baptist University's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven approach to education, with nursing emerging as both the most economically successful and largest program. Adult Health Nursing graduates 56 students annually and provides the strongest financial outcomes at $53,454 in median earnings, demonstrating the university's ability to prepare students for in-demand healthcare careers. This program represents the institution's most significant economic impact, combining substantial enrollment with solid earning potential.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology attracts 36 graduates annually with median earnings around $33,993, typical for health and fitness careers that emphasize personal wellness and community service. Adult and Continuing Education, with 33 graduates earning approximately $29,033, reflects the university's commitment to preparing educators and community leaders, fields where financial returns may be modest but social impact is significant.
The program mix emphasizes service-oriented careers that align with the university's faith-based mission. Students gravitate toward fields like healthcare, education, and human services where success is measured through multiple dimensions beyond purely financial outcomes. This approach attracts students who prioritize personal fulfillment, community impact, and alignment with their values, understanding that career satisfaction may be more important than maximizing earning potential.
Southwest Baptist University graduates earn a median of $43,112 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower tier nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. This reflects the university's focus on preparing students for service-oriented careers in fields like nursing, education, and ministry, where financial returns may be more modest but personal fulfillment and community impact are primary considerations. The earnings pattern aligns with the institution's mission-driven approach to education.
Nursing stands out as the university's strongest financial program, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning around $53,454 and representing the largest economic impact with 56 graduates. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, the most popular program with 36 graduates, leads to median earnings of approximately $33,993, typical for health and fitness careers. Adult and Continuing Education graduates earn around $29,033, reflecting the service-oriented nature of many programs at Southwest Baptist.
The university's program mix emphasizes fields that serve communities and individuals rather than maximizing earning potential. Students should expect career paths that prioritize personal satisfaction, service to others, and alignment with faith-based values, understanding that financial outcomes may be secondary to these broader life goals. This approach attracts students who measure success through multiple dimensions beyond purely economic metrics.
Southwest Baptist University maintains relatively consistent and affordable net prices across income levels. Low-income students pay approximately $22,672 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $20,785, and higher-income families pay about $21,292. This pricing structure reflects the university's commitment to accessibility, with modest variation between income bands that keeps education within reach for families across different economic circumstances.
The university's financial aid approach helps manage costs for students from various backgrounds. With over one-third of students receiving Pell Grants and a similar proportion being first-generation college students, Southwest Baptist demonstrates meaningful commitment to serving students who might not otherwise access higher education. The relatively stable net price across income levels suggests a financial aid strategy designed to maintain affordability rather than maximize revenue from higher-income families.
Debt levels are moderate and manageable for most graduates. Students typically leave with about $20,957 in federal loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $11,919. Given the university's focus on service-oriented careers with more modest earnings, these debt levels represent a reasonable balance between educational investment and expected career outcomes, particularly for students who prioritize mission alignment over maximum financial returns.
Southwest Baptist University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
