Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Southwestern Adventist University #1099 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,044 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwestern Adventist University in the 62.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Southwestern Adventist University #1267 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Southwestern Adventist University's composite ranking reflects its ability to deliver strong outcomes across multiple pillars. Graduates earn about $1,044 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting the institution's focus on supporting students into stable career pathways. The mobility ranking highlights Southwestern Adventist University's success in moving students through degree completion and into meaningful post-graduation outcomes.
Azimuth ranks Southwestern Adventist University #1099 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Southwestern Adventist University is a private master's university located in Keene, TX, enrolling approximately 570 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 72.7% freshman retention rate and a 52.3% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion. Southwestern Adventist University delivers meaningful returns on investment for its graduates. Azimuth ranks Southwestern Adventist University #796 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in health-related fields — its dominant program family — positions graduates for careers in nursing, allied health, and related professions where demand remains steady and earnings grow predictably over time. Graduates earn about $1,044 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwestern Adventist University in the 62.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability round out the composite profile. Southwestern Adventist University enrolls 42.1% Pell-eligible students and 34.2% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a commitment to serving students from varied economic backgrounds. As a private institution with tuition-dependent revenue, Southwestern Adventist University sits in the 36.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, a positioning shaped by the institution's private nonprofit structure and the financial aid packages it extends to admitted students. The combination of health-focused programming, solid earnings outcomes, and broad-access enrollment creates a profile suited to students seeking career-ready preparation in a values-oriented environment.
Southwestern Adventist University's published cost of attendance is $35,592. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $16,725, middle-income families pay around $15,441, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,475. Azimuth ranks Southwestern Adventist University #901 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. Southwestern Adventist University's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and institutional aid processes. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,998, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,000; 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 the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,144, median federal debt of $26,998 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Southwestern Adventist University is a good fit for students interested in health professions who want a private nonprofit university experience in TX. The university's program mix is concentrated in Health, representing 11% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,144, placing Southwestern Adventist University in the 25.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,044 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 62.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 42.1% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 34.2% being first-generation students. The low-income graduate cohort shows strong outcomes, placing in the 51.4 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two factors: the 78.4% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the health-focused program mix may not suit all interests. Students aligned with these programs will find meaningful returns relative to TX's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $31,626.
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
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This is the Southwestern Adventist University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
48 graduates
Southwestern Adventist University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and allied health fields, reflecting the institution's mission-driven focus on healthcare professions. Nursing is the largest program with 48 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Biology, General, Teacher Education, and General Studies.
The Health family represents 11% of degrees awarded, positioning the institution as a specialized provider in a high-demand sector. Nursing leads the institution's earnings profile, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $88,324 and a cohort of 48 students.
This concentration reflects Southwestern Adventist University's strategic positioning in healthcare education, where demand for trained professionals remains strong across clinical and support roles. The largest programs—Nursing and Psychology, General—align directly with this earnings trajectory, combining substantial cohort scale with outcomes that support graduates' entry into stable, in-demand healthcare careers.
The program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes. Healthcare fields including Nursing, Psychology, General, and related allied health specialties position graduates for employment in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings where hiring demand remains consistent.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Southwestern Adventist University's dominant program families align with national workforce trends in healthcare.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Simpson College Similar quality tier (#29442 ranked) | IA | 86% | $59,274 | #29442 | Compare |
Wisconsin Lutheran College Similar quality tier (#29440 ranked) | WI | 78% | $54,664 | #29440 | Compare |
Spalding University Similar quality tier (#29439 ranked) | KY | 99% | $49,438 | #29439 | Compare |
Elmira College Similar quality tier (#29436 ranked) | NY | 77% | $57,550 | #29436 | Compare |
West Virginia Wesleyan College Similar quality tier (#29432 ranked) | WV | 93% | $51,593 | #29432 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Southwestern Adventist University's published cost of attendance is $35,592. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $16,725, middle-income families pay around $15,441, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,475.
Azimuth ranks Southwestern Adventist University #901 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.
Southwestern Adventist University's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and institutional aid processes. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,998, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,000; 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 the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,144, median federal debt of $26,998 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 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 Southwestern Adventist University earn median 4-year earnings of $55,144, placing Southwestern Adventist University in the 25.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Southwestern Adventist University sits in the 62.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Southwestern Adventist University #796 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's focus on health-related fields, where graduates move into stable, in-demand roles with consistent early-career pay trajectories.
The earnings pattern centers on the health professions. Nursing is the largest program with 48 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $88,324, representing 1.0× the national benchmark for the field.
Psychology, General and Biology, General follow as substantial cohorts, anchoring the institution's degree output in fields with strong employer demand and predictable career pathways. Teacher Education and General Studies round out the top five, contributing to a program portfolio concentrated in Health — a family that accounts for the majority of degrees awarded and drives the institution's overall earnings profile.
