Bryan College-Dayton
Bryan College-Dayton — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bryan College-Dayton at a Glance
Bryan College is a private Christian college in Dayton, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in the aftermath of the 1925 Scopes trial to establish an institution of higher education that would teach from a Christian worldview.
1930
96 years old
$11M
$11.4 million (2024)
1,656
164
Identity
Is Bryan College-Dayton Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Bryan College-Dayton is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,434 — 1% above average — while paying $20,614/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 53% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Bryan College-Dayton has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Bryan College-Dayton compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TN
Ranked #117 of 333 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Riverside College of Health Sciences | 80 | $20,744 | $66,072 |
| #5 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #6 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #117 | Bryan College-Dayton | 35 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bryan College-Dayton's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in TN.
Best Programs at Bryan College-Dayton
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Bryan College-Dayton. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,614/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
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Dayton, TN
- Student Body
- 814 students
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,614
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,434
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000