Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Welch College #1187 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 19.8th percentile for overall value among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $43,472, placing Welch College in the 2.2nd percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Welch College #456 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 61.5th percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Welch College #1187 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's college in Gallatin, Tennessee, Welch College enrolls roughly 226 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 61.2% freshman retention rate and a 53.4% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid completion outcomes for its student body. Welch College is anchored in theological and religious studies education, a specialized mission that shapes both its program portfolio and its graduate outcomes. Where the institution performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Welch College #1042 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $43,472, placing Welch College in a competitive position for earnings outcomes relative to peer institutions. The institution's focus on theology and religious leadership prepares students for careers in ministry, education, and faith-based organizations, fields where outcomes reflect both the specialized nature of the mission and the dedicated student population the college serves. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. 28.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, and the institution sits in the 3.0 percentile for access and the 49.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 61.5 percentile. For prospective students drawn to faith-centered higher education with a clear vocational mission, Welch College offers a distinctive educational pathway grounded in theological formation and community-engaged learning.
Welch College's published cost of attendance is $37,072. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $25,590, middle-income families pay around $23,219, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,512. Azimuth ranks Welch College #714 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. Welch College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to access need-based aid, and work-study may be available as part of aid packages. The institution's theology focus shapes both its mission and its student population, which tends to include students committed to faith-based education and ministry preparation. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,706; 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 $43,472, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Welch College is a strong fit for students seeking a faith-based education in Theology at a small private institution in TN. The college's program mix is highly concentrated in this field, with 14% of degrees awarded in Theology and related disciplines. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $43,472, placing Welch College in the 2.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Welch College #1042 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The financial structure reflects the institution's private nonprofit status, with higher-income families paying a net price of approximately $27,512 and median federal debt at graduation of $19,500. 28.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, indicating some access for lower-income students. Fit depends on alignment with the college's religious mission and specialized academic focus. Students seeking broader program options or higher earnings potential may want to consider institutions with more diversified offerings.
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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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Welch College 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.
Welch College's published cost of attendance is $37,072. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $25,590, middle-income families pay around $23,219, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,512.
Azimuth ranks Welch College #714 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.
Welch College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to access need-based aid, and work-study may be available as part of aid packages.
The institution's theology focus shapes both its mission and its student population, which tends to include students committed to faith-based education and ministry preparation. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,706; 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 $43,472, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 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 Welch College earn median 4-year earnings of $43,472, placing Welch College in the 2.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Welch College #1042 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
These outcomes reflect the institution's concentrated focus on theological and religious studies, a field that typically leads to careers in ministry, education, and faith-based leadership. Welch College's program portfolio centers on Theology, which shapes both the earnings trajectory and the career pathways graduates pursue.
Bible/Biblical Studies is the largest program with 27 graduates, followed by Business Administration with 8 graduates and Teacher Education with 5 graduates. The concentration in faith-based and ministerial fields means earnings outcomes reflect the labor market for these specialized career paths rather than broader professional fields.
Graduates typically move into roles in religious organizations, educational institutions, and community-based ministries, where compensation structures differ from secular professional sectors. For students pursuing vocational callings in theology and religious leadership, Welch College provides a focused educational pathway aligned with their long-term professional goals.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
5 graduates
Welch College centers its academic portfolio on theological and religious studies, reflecting its identity as a faith-based institution. Bible/Biblical Studies is the largest program with 27 graduates, followed by Business Administration with 8 graduates and Teacher Education with 5 graduates.
The institution's program mix is concentrated in Business at 14%, with secondary strength in Education at 12% and Arts at 2%. Welch College serves 40 students across 3 programs, with 0 meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold.
The dominant program family of Theology reflects the institution's mission-driven focus and appeals to students pursuing vocational and pastoral pathways. Graduates in these fields often continue to graduate or professional study—seminary, divinity school, or advanced theological training—where four-year earnings undercount the full trajectory of career development and earning potential.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides context for understanding how faith-based educational pathways align with labor-market outcomes. Many graduates from Welch College enter roles in ministry, education, counseling, and nonprofit leadership, sectors where earnings reflect mission-driven work rather than market-rate compensation.
For prospective students evaluating long-term financial outcomes, the earnings figures should be interpreted alongside the institution's explicit focus on faith formation and vocational calling.
