Eastern Nazarene College stands out for its commitment to affordability and debt management, with graduates maintaining excellent loan repayment records and no federal defaults.
The college provides access to private Christian education at costs significantly below typical private institutions, making values-based education more accessible to diverse families.
Eastern Nazarene College is a small private nonprofit institution in Quincy, Massachusetts, serving students who seek a personalized educational experience in a Christian liberal arts setting. With about 35% of students receiving Pell Grants and 30% being first-generation college students, the college provides meaningful access to higher education for students from diverse economic backgrounds. However, the institution faces challenges with completion rates, as only about 35% of students graduate within six years and 57% within eight years.
The college's financial outcomes are mixed, with graduates earning a median of $54,727 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution around the middle of the national distribution for earnings. Students typically leave with $26,000 in federal loan debt, a manageable level given the earnings outcomes, though completion challenges mean not all students reach graduation to benefit from these career outcomes.
As a small Christian college, Eastern Nazarene offers the intimate campus experience and values-based education that many families seek, but prospective students should carefully consider the completion rates and ensure they're prepared for the academic demands and campus culture that will help them succeed through graduation.
Eastern Nazarene College's program portfolio centers around its Business Administration and Management program, which represents both the largest enrollment and strongest career outcomes. With 45 graduates earning median salaries around $51,035, this program demonstrates the college's ability to prepare students for stable professional careers in business fields. The concentration in business reflects the college's practical approach to career preparation within its Christian liberal arts framework.
The college's small size means that program offerings are focused rather than comprehensive, with business serving as the primary career-oriented major that attracts significant enrollment. This concentration allows for personalized attention and strong faculty-student relationships within the business program, though it also means students seeking other professional fields may find fewer options.
For students interested in business careers who value the combination of professional preparation and Christian values, Eastern Nazarene's business program offers solid outcomes within a supportive small college environment. The program's success suggests that students who align with the college's mission and persist through graduation can achieve meaningful career preparation, particularly in business and related professional fields.
Eastern Nazarene College graduates earn a median of $54,727 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the middle of the national earnings distribution. While these outcomes are reasonable for a small private college, they fall slightly below what might be expected given the student profile and institutional characteristics. The college shows particular strength in business programs, with Business Administration and Management graduates earning around $51,035 in their early careers, representing the institution's largest and most successful program with 45 graduates.
The college's return on investment reflects the realities of a small liberal arts institution where outcomes vary significantly by field of study and individual student engagement. Students who complete their degrees generally find stable employment, but the relatively modest earnings levels mean that careful attention to debt management is important for long-term financial health.
For students who thrive in the small college environment and complete their degrees, Eastern Nazarene provides a solid foundation for career entry, particularly in business and professional fields. However, the institution's completion challenges mean that success depends heavily on students' ability to persist through graduation and take full advantage of the personalized attention and career support services available at a small institution.
Eastern Nazarene College offers relatively affordable net prices across income levels, making private education accessible to a broader range of families. Low-income students pay about $13,669 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $20,471 per year. Interestingly, high-income families often pay less at $16,131 annually, reflecting the college's merit aid strategies and efforts to attract students across economic backgrounds.
Typical graduates leave with $26,000 in federal student loan debt, a moderate level that aligns with national averages for private institutions. Many families also utilize Parent PLUS loans, with an average of $18,323 in parent borrowing to help cover educational costs. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully, though this may partly reflect the smaller pool of students who complete their degrees.
The combination of reasonable net prices and moderate debt levels makes Eastern Nazarene financially accessible for many families, particularly when compared to other private colleges. However, families should factor in the completion rate challenges when evaluating the overall value proposition, as the financial benefits depend on successfully graduating and entering the workforce.
Eastern Nazarene College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
