Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Barton College #1257 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Barton College in the 54.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Barton College #1097 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Barton College #1257 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Wilson, North Carolina, Barton College enrolls roughly 982 undergraduates. Retention is 65.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 45.9%, reflecting the institution's commitment to student persistence and degree completion. Barton College draws strength from its focus on health-related fields and strong outcomes for the students it serves. 37.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 35.0% are first-generation college students, positioning the institution as an access point for students from modest economic backgrounds. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Barton College in the 54.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Barton College #1097 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite reflects balanced performance across access, mobility, and affordability. Barton College sits in the 21.5 percentile for access, the 29.8 percentile for mobility, and the 30.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a health-focused institution with strong outcomes for low-income and first-generation students, Barton College offers a clear pathway to stable careers in nursing, allied health, and related fields — sectors with consistent hiring demand and meaningful earning potential.
Published cost of attendance is $51,935. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $19,641, middle-income families pay around $22,510, higher-income families pay approximately $30,286. Azimuth ranks Barton College #997 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 30.1 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,877; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,818. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,766, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $292 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Barton College is a strong fit for students interested in health professions who want a private nonprofit college experience in Wilson, NC. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,766, placing Barton College in the 11.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 37.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 35.0% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $51,935 and need-based aid packages can meaningfully reduce the gap for eligible students. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 94.2% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health professions — 15% of degrees are in health fields. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find strong outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Barton College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing
37 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General
36 graduates
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching
7 graduates
Corrections Administration
8 graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology
46 graduates
Barton College's program mix is anchored in health sciences and professional fields aligned with regional workforce demand. Kinesiology is the largest program with 46 graduates annually, followed by Nursing with 37 graduates earning median earnings of $79,283 four years after enrollment, Business Administration with 36 graduates earning $55,125, Biology, General with 22 graduates, and Social Work with 17 graduates.
The institution's dominant concentration in Health reflects its positioning as a regional liberal arts college with applied professional pathways. The highest-earning programs at Barton College center on health and business fields.
Nursing leads with graduates earning median earnings of $79,283 four years after enrollment across 37 graduates, while Business Administration delivers median earnings of $55,125 for 36 graduates. These outcomes reflect strong regional demand for health-care professionals and business-trained graduates in North Carolina's workforce market.
Barton College graduates enter a mix of direct-to-workforce and graduate-school-dependent pathways. Health-related programs including nursing and allied health fields position graduates for immediate employment in stable, growing sectors where four-year earnings reflect labor-market outcomes.
Other programs prepare students for further graduate or professional study, where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's program portfolio aligns with regional and national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tabor College Similar quality tier (#34933 ranked) | KS | 65% | $54,058 | #34933 | Compare |
Letourneau University Similar quality tier (#34935 ranked) | TX | 38% | $57,103 | #34935 | Compare |
Talladega College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#34936 ranked) | AL | 85% | $32,229 | #34936 | Compare |
Lasell University Similar quality tier (#34928 ranked) | MA | 81% | $49,705 | #34928 | Compare |
Roanoke College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#34927 ranked) | VA | 83% | $58,047 | #34927 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $51,935. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $19,641, middle-income families pay around $22,510, higher-income families pay approximately $30,286.
Azimuth ranks Barton College #997 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 30.1 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,877; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,818.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,766, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $292 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of Barton College earn median 4-year earnings of $51,766, placing Barton College in the 11.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $723 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Barton College #1097 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing reports 37 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $79,283. Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 36 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $55,125.