Barton College
Barton College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Barton College Worth It?
At a value score of 24/100, Barton College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,913 — 11% below average — while paying $23,626/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.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,877 representing 54% 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 Barton College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Barton College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #93 of 131 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #93 | Barton College | 24 | $23,626 | $47,913 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Barton College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in NC.
Best Programs at Barton College
The highest-earning program at Barton College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $26,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Barton College earns $56,600, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $26,800. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $24,213 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,626/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,600 | $56,600 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,600 | $36,600 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,700 | $29,700 | $26,000 |
| Social Work | $27,700 | $27,700 | $29,625 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,800 | $26,800 | $24,213 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wilson, NC
- Student Body
- 982 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,626
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,913
- Median Student Debt
- $25,877