Students at Calvary University benefit from exceptionally affordable net prices that rank among the lowest for private institutions nationwide, making quality Christian education accessible to families across income levels.
The university's zero default rate and outstanding loan repayment patterns demonstrate that graduates successfully manage their educational investments despite more modest earnings.
Calvary University is a small private nonprofit institution in Kansas City, Missouri, that emphasizes affordability and accessibility over maximum earnings outcomes. While graduates earn a median of $45,421 ten years after enrollment—placing the university in the 31st percentile nationally for earnings—the institution excels at keeping costs manageable for students and families across income levels.
The university serves a diverse student body, with about 36% of students receiving Pell Grants and 35% being first-generation college students. Net prices are notably reasonable: low-income students pay around $9,571 annually, middle-income families pay about $14,497, and even higher-income families see costs of just $16,444 per year. This affordability focus helps explain why the university ranks in the 73rd percentile nationally for affordability.
As a small Christian institution, Calvary University offers a personalized educational experience with strong financial accessibility. The combination of low net prices, manageable debt levels, and solid loan repayment rates makes it a practical choice for students seeking a faith-based education without overwhelming financial burden. While earnings may be more modest than at larger research universities, the institution's commitment to affordability creates a sustainable path for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Program-level data for Calvary University is limited due to the institution's small size and specialized mission as a Christian university. The university's focus on ministry, theology, and service-oriented fields means that traditional earnings-based program rankings may not fully capture the value and purpose of the educational experience offered.
As a faith-based institution, Calvary University likely emphasizes programs in biblical studies, ministry preparation, Christian education, and related fields that prepare students for service in religious and nonprofit organizations. These career paths, while meaningful and impactful, typically offer more modest financial compensation compared to business, engineering, or technology fields found at larger universities.
The university's small scale allows for personalized attention and close faculty-student relationships that can be particularly valuable in ministry and service-oriented career preparation. While specific program earnings data is not available, the institution's strong loan repayment performance and zero default rate suggest that graduates across all programs achieve sufficient financial stability to manage their educational investments successfully, even in traditionally lower-paying but high-impact career fields.
Graduates of Calvary University earn a median of $45,421 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower third nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. Six years after graduation, median earnings are $33,144, showing steady but modest income growth over time. The university's earnings performance reflects its focus on fields that emphasize service and ministry rather than maximum financial return.
The institution's small size and specialized mission mean that program-level earnings data is limited, but the overall pattern suggests graduates enter careers that prioritize purpose and community impact over high salaries. This earnings profile is consistent with many small private religious institutions that prepare students for ministry, education, social work, and other service-oriented fields.
While absolute earnings may be lower than at larger universities, graduates benefit from manageable debt levels and strong loan repayment patterns. The university's 73% loan repayment rate, combined with zero federal loan default rate, indicates that most borrowers can successfully manage their educational debt despite more modest earnings. This suggests that while graduates may not achieve top-tier salaries, their financial obligations remain proportionate to their earning capacity, creating a sustainable long-term financial picture.
Calvary University stands out for its strong affordability across all income levels. Low-income students pay just $9,571 per year in net price, well below what most private institutions charge. Middle-income families see annual costs of $14,497, while even higher-income families pay only $16,444—remarkably low for a private nonprofit institution. These net prices place the university in the 73rd percentile nationally for affordability.
The university's commitment to keeping costs manageable extends to its debt structure. Typical graduates leave with about $20,839 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable level given the institution's focus on accessibility. Notably, the university reports zero federal loan default rate, indicating that virtually all borrowers successfully manage their repayment obligations. The loan repayment trajectory shows that by year four, borrowers have paid off about 19% of their original balance, with nearly 38% of borrowers having completely paid off their loans—performance that ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for balance reduction and 98th percentile for borrower payoff rates.
This strong repayment performance, combined with the absence of Parent PLUS debt burdens, creates a sustainable financial model for families. The university's approach prioritizes keeping upfront costs low rather than relying heavily on borrowing, which helps explain why graduates can successfully manage their debt obligations even with more modest post-graduation earnings.
Calvary University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
