Students at Regent University benefit from strong educational access and a supportive community environment, with graduates managing debt successfully and earning slightly more than similar students at comparable institutions.
The university serves as an important pathway for first-generation and Pell-eligible students, though long-term earnings outcomes are more modest than at higher-performing institutions.
Regent University is a private nonprofit institution in Virginia Beach that serves a distinctive student population with strong access but faces challenges in long-term earnings outcomes. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants and 42% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds. However, graduates earn a median of $44,498 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower third nationally for earnings outcomes.
The university operates as an "Under-Resourced Institution" in terms of mobility, meaning it provides broad access to higher education but struggles to convert that access into strong economic outcomes for low-income students. With a 54% six-year graduation rate and moderate debt levels, Regent offers a pathway to degree completion for students who might not otherwise attend college, though the financial returns are more modest than at many peer institutions.
As a medium-sized Christian university, Regent combines faith-based education with practical career preparation across fields like business, corrections administration, and biblical studies. For students who prioritize the institution's religious mission and community environment alongside educational access, Regent provides a supportive pathway through college, even if the long-term earnings outcomes lag behind national averages.
Regent University's program portfolio reflects its Christian mission and commitment to preparing students for service-oriented careers. Business Administration and Management stands out as the strongest combination of enrollment and earnings outcomes, graduating 72 students annually with median earnings around $38,289. This program represents the university's most successful pathway for students seeking solid career prospects within a faith-based educational environment.
Corrections Administration offers higher individual earnings at roughly $36,042 but serves a smaller specialized cohort of 20 graduates annually. This program demonstrates Regent's ability to prepare students for specific professional fields where Christian values and practical skills intersect effectively.
Biblical Studies, with 56 graduates earning median salaries around $21,508, exemplifies the university's core mission of preparing students for ministry and faith-based service careers. While the earnings are modest, this program serves students called to vocations where financial compensation is secondary to spiritual and community impact. The substantial enrollment in this field reflects Regent's distinctive positioning in higher education and the career priorities of its student body.
Graduates of Regent University face mixed long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $44,498 ten years after enrollment placing the institution in the lower third nationally. However, the university does show some positive momentum, with graduates earning about $2,637 more than similar students at comparable institutions might be expected to earn. This earnings advantage, while modest, suggests that Regent provides some value beyond what the raw numbers might indicate.
Program outcomes vary significantly across the university's offerings. Business Administration and Management represents the strongest combination of scale and earnings, graduating 72 students annually with median earnings around $38,289. Corrections Administration shows higher individual earnings at roughly $36,042 but serves a smaller cohort of 20 graduates. Biblical Studies, one of the university's signature programs with 56 graduates, leads to more modest earnings around $21,508, reflecting the service-oriented nature of many ministry careers.
The university's program mix reflects its Christian mission, with substantial enrollment in biblical studies and related fields that often lead to ministry, nonprofit work, or other service careers where financial compensation is typically lower than in business or technical fields. Students should understand that while Regent provides solid preparation for these vocations, the earnings potential is generally more modest than what graduates might see from programs focused primarily on high-earning career paths.
Regent University offers relatively consistent and predictable pricing across income levels, with net prices that remain fairly stable regardless of family income. Low-income students pay about $18,843 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $16,647, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,990. This pricing structure places the university near the national average for affordability, making it accessible to families across different economic circumstances.
The university's aid strategy appears designed to keep costs manageable for most students, with net prices that don't vary dramatically by income level. This approach provides predictability for families planning their college investment, though it means that the lowest-income students don't receive the deep discounts often seen at institutions with more aggressive need-based aid programs.
Debt levels at Regent are moderate and generally manageable given the institution's mission and student population. Most graduates leave with federal student loan debt around $24,534, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans typically borrow about $12,949. With a 0% federal loan default rate, the university demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their debt obligations, even if their earnings are more modest than at higher-earning institutions.
Regent University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
