Asbury University
Asbury University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Asbury University at a Glance
Asbury University is a private Christian university in Wilmore, Kentucky, United States. Although it is not affiliated with a particular denomination, Asbury University is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement of Methodism. The school offers 50-plus majors across 17 departments. In the fall of 2016, Asbury University had a total enrollment of 1,854: 1,640 traditional undergraduate students and 214 graduate students. The campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, which became a separate institu…
1890
136 years old
$78M
$78.15 million (2024)
1,854
1,789 undergrad · 311 grad
150
Identity
Is Asbury University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Asbury University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,368 — 21% below average — while paying $21,401/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $24,028 representing 57% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Asbury University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Asbury University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in KY
Ranked #22 of 106 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #2 | Mount St. Joseph University | 43 | $16,530 | $51,509 |
| #3 | Evangel University | 40 | $18,669 | $46,573 |
| #4 | Trevecca Nazarene University | 40 | $16,813 | $49,378 |
| #5 | Heritage University | 39 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| #6 | Ouachita Baptist University | 38 | $22,409 | $51,673 |
| #22 | Asbury University | 32 | $21,401 | $42,368 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Asbury University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in KY.
Best Programs at Asbury University
The highest-earning program at Asbury University is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $32,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services at $15,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Asbury University earns $32,000, while a Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services graduate earns $15,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,401/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,000 | $32,000 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $25,000 | $25,000 | $21,500 |
| Religious/Sacred Music | $25,000 | $25,000 | N/A |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | $15,900 | $15,900 | $23,250 |
Similar Colleges in KY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wilmore, KY
- Student Body
- 1,420 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,401
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,368
- Median Student Debt
- $24,028