Students at Benedictine College benefit from above-average earnings outcomes and exceptional financial discipline, with graduates consistently outperforming national averages in loan repayment success.
The college's focus on career preparation in high-demand fields like nursing, business, and education creates reliable pathways to stable, middle-class careers.
Benedictine College is a private Catholic institution in Atchison, Kansas, serving about 2,000 students in a traditional liberal arts setting. While the college ranks in the middle tier nationally for overall value, it delivers notably strong financial outcomes for graduates, with median 10-year earnings of $53,175 placing it in the 64th percentile among similar institutions.
What distinguishes Benedictine is its focus on career preparation within a values-based education framework. The college maintains strong programs in business and finance, nursing, and education, with graduates consistently finding stable employment in their chosen fields. Despite serving a relatively small share of low-income students, those who do attend often benefit from the college's emphasis on mentorship and career guidance.
As a medium-sized Catholic college, Benedictine offers the personal attention of a small institution while maintaining the academic breadth needed for diverse career paths. The college's Kansas location provides access to regional job markets while keeping costs more manageable than many private institutions in major metropolitan areas.
Benedictine College's program portfolio reflects its mission of preparing students for stable, meaningful careers in essential fields. Banking and Financial Support Services leads in aggregate return, combining solid enrollment of 50 graduates with competitive earnings of $46,087, demonstrating the college's strength in business education and its connections to regional financial institutions.
Nursing represents the college's highest-earning program, with Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates earning $55,383 and benefiting from strong demand in healthcare markets throughout Kansas and neighboring states. The program's 30 graduates reflect selective admission and rigorous preparation that leads to excellent job placement and career advancement opportunities.
Education remains central to Benedictine's mission, with Adult and Continuing Education representing the largest program by enrollment at 52 graduates. While earnings of $36,272 are more modest, these graduates enter stable careers in teaching and educational leadership, often serving rural and underserved communities throughout the region. The college's emphasis on service and values-based education creates teachers who are well-prepared for the challenges of modern classrooms.
Benedictine College graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $53,175 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 64th percentile nationally. While graduates don't significantly outperform earnings expectations compared with similar students at other institutions, they do achieve consistent, stable financial results that justify the investment in a private education.
The college's strongest financial returns come from its professional programs. Banking and Financial Support Services stands out as the highest aggregate return major, combining solid enrollment of 50 graduates with median earnings of $46,087. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing delivers the highest individual earnings at $55,383 for 30 graduates, reflecting strong demand for healthcare professionals. Adult and Continuing Education represents the largest program footprint with 52 graduates earning $36,272, demonstrating the college's commitment to preparing educators for regional schools.
Across programs, Benedictine graduates benefit from the college's emphasis on practical skills and professional networking. The institution's career services and alumni connections help students transition effectively into stable, middle-class careers, particularly in business, healthcare, and education sectors throughout Kansas and the broader Midwest region.
Benedictine College maintains relatively consistent net prices across income levels, with low-income families paying about $22,718 annually and middle-income families seeing costs around $23,404. High-income families face higher net prices of approximately $30,253, reflecting the college's aid strategy of supporting students with the greatest financial need while expecting higher-income families to contribute more toward the full cost of attendance.
The college's debt levels are moderate but require careful planning. Typical graduates leave with about $24,599 in federal student loan debt, while families often supplement with Parent PLUS loans averaging $27,408. What makes these debt levels manageable is the college's strong track record of loan repayment success—graduates consistently pay down their balances faster than national averages, with exceptionally high rates of borrowers making progress on their loans within the first few years after graduation.
Benedictine's financial aid approach emphasizes grants and scholarships to keep borrowing reasonable, though families should expect to contribute meaningfully to college costs. The combination of moderate debt levels and solid post-graduation earnings creates a sustainable financial pathway for most students, particularly those entering stable career fields like nursing, business, and education.
Benedictine College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
