Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Southwestern College #864 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,910 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwestern College in the 75.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Southwestern College sits in the 77.3 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Southwestern College #864 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Winfield, Kansas, Southwestern College enrolls roughly 924 undergraduates. Retention stands at 55.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 35.7%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Southwestern College delivers meaningful returns on investment for its student body. Azimuth ranks Southwestern College #337 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,910 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwestern College in the 75.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio is anchored in Business, which aligns with strong regional employer demand and contributes to competitive early-career outcomes. Access and affordability round out the composite picture. Southwestern College enrolls 40.8% Pell-eligible students and 39.8% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a commitment to broad access. The institution sits in the 19.0 percentile for affordability and the 42.2 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students seeking a smaller, mission-driven private institution with solid long-term financial outcomes and manageable costs, Southwestern College offers a reliable pathway to degree completion and career readiness.
Southwestern College's published cost of attendance is $58,432. Net price by income band varies across the student population: low-income families pay approximately $26,294, middle-income families pay around $30,032, and higher-income families pay approximately $32,739. Azimuth ranks Southwestern College #1154 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 College structures aid through need-based grants and federal loan programs. Most students complete the FAFSA to access need-based aid, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs. The difference between published cost and net price reflects the net price illusion — sticker price and what families actually pay can differ substantially depending on aid eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,900; 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 $64,687, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Southwestern College is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private nonprofit college experience in KS. The institution's program mix is concentrated in Business, representing 40% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $64,687, placing Southwestern College in the 64.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,910 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 75.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college enrolls 40.8% of undergraduates who receive Pell Grants and 39.8% who are first-generation students. Published cost of attendance is $32,739, with median federal debt at graduation of $25,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 75.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business over other fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find focused academic offerings in KS's regional labor market.
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 Southwestern College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rosedale Technical College Similar quality tier (#23751 ranked) | PA | 75% | $47,880 | #23751 | Compare |
Rhodes College Similar quality tier (#23750 ranked) | TN | 50% | $66,651 | #23750 | Compare |
Middlebury College Similar quality tier (#23749 ranked) | VT | 11% | $76,310 | #23749 | Compare |
Xavier University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#23763 ranked) | LA | 69% | $52,184 | #23763 | Compare |
Albertus Magnus College Similar quality tier (#23742 ranked) | CT | 59% | $60,144 | #23742 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Southwestern College's published cost of attendance is $58,432. Net price by income band varies across the student population: low-income families pay approximately $26,294, middle-income families pay around $30,032, and higher-income families pay approximately $32,739.
Azimuth ranks Southwestern College #1154 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 College structures aid through need-based grants and federal loan programs. Most students complete the FAFSA to access need-based aid, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs.
The difference between published cost and net price reflects the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) — sticker price and what families actually pay can differ substantially depending on aid eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,900; 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 $64,687, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 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 College earn median 4-year earnings of $64,687, placing Southwestern College in the 64.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,910 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Southwestern College in the 75.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Southwestern College #337 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Southwestern College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 97 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $73,596, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Computer Game Programming program graduates 36 students with median 4-year earnings of $83,746, while Criminal Justice and Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management round out the institution's core offerings with 21 and 18 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor Southwestern College's economic profile and align with the institution's dominant focus on Business education.
Computer Programming
36 graduates
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
18 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
16 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
97 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
21 graduates
Southwestern College's program mix centers on Business, reflecting the institution's professional and applied-learning orientation. Business Administration is the largest program with 97 graduates, followed by Computer Game Programming, Criminal Justice, Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management, and Health Administration.
Across 18 total programs serving roughly 320 students annually, 0 programs meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor markets. The earnings leaders demonstrate solid professional pathways.
Computer Game Programming graduates earn median four-year earnings of $83,746, while Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management graduates earn $80,322 and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other graduates earn $77,689. Business Administration and Criminal Justice round out the higher-earning cluster with graduates earning $73,596 and $63,138 respectively.
This concentration in Business and related professional fields creates a coherent program identity where most graduates enter stable, direct-to-workforce career pathways rather than grad-school-dependent routes. The program portfolio reflects Southwestern College's positioning as a regional private institution with emphasis on applied professional preparation.
Business represents 40% of graduates, with Education at 3% and Arts at 3%, creating a program mix that aligns with employer demand in the Great Plains region. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant fields align with regional labor-market trends and wage stability.
