Southwestern Christian University offers private college education at relatively affordable prices, with most families paying under $20,000 annually in net costs.
The university provides access to higher education for many first-generation and low-income students within a faith-based community setting.
Southwestern Christian University is a small private nonprofit institution in Bethany, Oklahoma, serving students who value faith-based education and close-knit campus community. With just over 40% of students receiving Pell Grants and a similar share being first-generation college students, the university provides access to higher education for many students who might not otherwise attend college. However, the institution faces significant challenges in student completion and long-term financial outcomes that prospective families should carefully consider.
Graduates earn a median of $40,391 ten years after enrollment, which places the university in the bottom 15% nationally for earnings outcomes. The university's completion rates are also concerning, with only about 13% of students graduating within six years and roughly 23% completing their degrees within eight years. These outcomes reflect the substantial challenges many small private institutions face in supporting students through to graduation and into successful careers.
For families drawn to Southwestern Christian University's mission and community, it's important to weigh the institution's values-based approach against its academic and financial track record. While the university offers relatively affordable net prices for a private institution—around $18,700 for low-income students and $19,330 for middle-income families—the combination of low completion rates and modest earnings outcomes suggests that students and families should have realistic expectations about post-graduation financial returns.
Southwestern Christian University's program portfolio is quite limited, with Exercise Science and Kinesiology representing the institution's primary academic focus by aggregate return. This program graduates 24 students annually with median earnings of $23,649 ten years after graduation—a figure that falls well short of what similar programs typically produce at other institutions. The concentration in this single field reflects the university's narrow academic scope and limited ability to offer diverse pathways to higher earnings.
The modest outcomes in Exercise Science highlight broader challenges the university faces in connecting students with robust career opportunities. At $23,649 in median earnings, graduates in this field earn significantly less than the national median for similar programs, suggesting either regional employment limitations or gaps in career preparation and placement support. This pattern underscores the importance for prospective students to have realistic expectations about post-graduation earning potential.
The lack of diversity in high-performing programs represents a significant limitation for students seeking strong financial returns on their educational investment. Unlike larger institutions that can offer multiple pathways to career success across various fields, Southwestern Christian University's concentrated program mix provides fewer options for students to find academic and career paths that align with higher-earning opportunities in today's economy.
Graduates of Southwestern Christian University face significant financial challenges after college. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $40,391, placing the institution in the bottom 15% nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. More concerning, graduates earn substantially less than what would be expected given their backgrounds and the institution they attended—about $8,600 below expectations compared with similar students at other institutions. This earnings gap represents one of the more significant underperformance patterns among private colleges.
The university's limited program portfolio contributes to these modest outcomes. Exercise Science and Kinesiology is the institution's largest program by aggregate return, graduating 24 students annually with median earnings of just $23,649 ten years out. This figure is well below what graduates in similar fields typically earn at other institutions, reflecting both the university's regional employment market and the challenges its graduates face in translating their degrees into higher-paying careers.
The financial return on investment at Southwestern Christian University is among the weakest tracked nationally. With relatively high debt levels and low earnings, graduates often struggle to achieve the financial stability that typically comes with a college degree. Students considering this institution should have clear non-financial motivations for attendance, as the economic benefits are limited compared with other higher education options.
Southwestern Christian University offers relatively affordable pricing for a private institution, though debt levels remain concerning given the modest earnings outcomes. Low-income students pay about $18,702 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $19,330—both figures represent reasonable pricing compared with many private colleges. Even higher-income families pay $24,819, which is competitive within the private nonprofit sector.
However, the debt picture is more troubling when considered alongside post-graduation earnings. Typical graduates leave with about $20,715 in federal student loan debt, and families often take on an additional $18,032 in Parent PLUS loans. While these amounts might seem manageable in isolation, they become problematic when graduates earn just $40,391 ten years after college. The combination of moderate debt levels with low earnings creates a challenging financial situation for many graduates, making standard loan repayment difficult and potentially requiring income-driven repayment plans for long-term sustainability.
Southwestern Christian University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
