Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Chowan University #1311 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,497 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Chowan University in the 22.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Chowan University #1449 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Chowan University #1311 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Murfreesboro, NC, Chowan University enrolls roughly 603 undergraduates. Retention is 70.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 29.9%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Chowan University sits in the 6.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, anchored on median earnings four years after enrollment of $43,702. Graduates earn about $9,497 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Chowan University in the 22.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio, anchored in Parks & Recreation, aligns with stable regional labor-market demand and supports graduates into careers with meaningful long-term financial trajectories. Access and affordability reflect the institution's regional positioning. 56.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.0% are first-generation college students, signaling broad enrollment of students from lower-income and under-represented backgrounds. Chowan University sits in the 70.0 percentile for access and the 53.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, positioning it as a private institution with meaningful financial accessibility relative to comparable peers. For students prioritizing manageable debt loads paired with solid career preparation in a supportive regional setting, Chowan University offers a coherent value proposition.
Chowan University's published cost of attendance is $39,027. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $13,726, middle-income families pay around $14,549, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,713. Azimuth ranks Chowan University #661 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $29,491, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,319; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Chowan University's median four-year earnings of $43,702, median federal debt of $29,491 projects to a monthly payment of about $333 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Chowan University is a good fit for students drawn to parks, recreation, and leisure studies who want a private nonprofit college experience in NC. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $43,702, placing Chowan University in the 2.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,497 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 22.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 56.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.0% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates for Pell students of 31.2%. Published cost of attendance is $19,713, and median federal debt at graduation is $29,491. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 68.8% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors parks and recreation fields over applied-professional ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a focused program portfolio.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Chowan University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Chowan University's published cost of attendance is $39,027. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $13,726, middle-income families pay around $14,549, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,713.
Azimuth ranks Chowan University #661 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $29,491, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,319; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Chowan University's median four-year earnings of $43,702, median federal debt of $29,491 projects to a monthly payment of about $333 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Chowan University earn median 4-year earnings of $43,702, placing Chowan University in the 2.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,497 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Chowan University in the 22.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Chowan University #1385 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to NC's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern centers on Parks & Recreation, which anchors the institution's economic profile. Criminal Justice is the largest program with 30 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,858, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field.
The Psychology, General program graduates 26 students earning $33,143, while Kinesiology and Business Administration round out the core program mix with 25 and 18 graduates respectively. This concentrated program portfolio reflects Chowan University's specialized focus and creates a coherent career pathway for students choosing fields aligned with the institution's academic strengths.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Union University Higher acceptance rate (25.4 percentage points higher) and located 80 miles away; similar graduate earnings | VA | 98% | $38,275 | Compare |
Albizu University-San Juan Higher acceptance rate (27.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PR | 100% | $41,544 | Compare |
Bethune-Cookman University Higher acceptance rate (27.5 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | FL | 100% | $38,518 | Compare |
Mid-Atlantic Christian University Same state (50 miles away) with nearly identical earnings; same institution type | NC | 76% | $38,342 | Compare |
Saint Augustine's University Same state (96 miles away) with similar earnings; same institution type | NC | 59% | $35,730 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ouachita Baptist University Similar quality tier (#36084 ranked) | AR | 68% | $51,673 | #36084 | Compare |
Edp University Of Puerto Rico-Villalba Similar quality tier (#36088 ranked) | PR | 76% | $22,844 | #36088 | Compare |
Gordon College Similar quality tier (#36083 ranked) | MA | 69% | $52,119 | #36083 | Compare |
Greensboro College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36081 ranked) | NC | 70% | $46,566 | #36081 | Compare |
New England College Similar quality tier (#36090 ranked) | NH | 92% | $42,092 | #36090 | Compare |
Business Administration, Management and Operations
18 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
30 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
25 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
9 graduates
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
10 graduates
Chowan University's program mix centers on Parks & Recreation, a distinctive focus among private nonprofit institutions. The largest programs by enrollment are Criminal Justice with 30 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,858, followed by Psychology, General with 26 graduates earning $33,143, and Kinesiology with 25 graduates earning $44,711.
Across 13 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 172 students annually. The institution's highest-earning programs reflect applied professional and service-oriented fields.
Business Administration leads with median 4-year earnings of $54,889 from 18 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice at $44,858 and Kinesiology at $44,711. These programs reflect Chowan University's positioning as a career-focused institution where students pursue direct workforce entry in fields aligned with regional labor-market demand.
The concentration in Parks & Recreation and related service-oriented fields shapes the institution's economic signature. Many of these pathways—including education, business, and health-related fields—represent high-employment sectors where graduates move directly into the workforce.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
