Greenville University
Greenville University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Greenville University at a Glance
Greenville University is a private university in Greenville, Illinois, United States. It is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. Established as Greenville College in 1892, the institution was renamed Greenville University in 2017.
1892
134 years old
$21M
$21.2 million (2019)
1,104
986 undergrad · 118 grad
101
50 acres
Identity
Is Greenville University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Greenville University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,827 — 13% below average — while paying $19,533/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% 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 98% 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 $23,875 representing 51% 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 Greenville University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Greenville University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #43 of 93 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 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | Loras College | 48 | $20,716 | $58,289 |
| #43 | Greenville University | 27 | $19,533 | $46,827 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Greenville University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IL.
Best Programs at Greenville University
The highest-earning program at Greenville University is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $28,300/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Greenville University earns $28,300, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $28,300. 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 $9,833 in median debt vs. $9,833 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,533/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 | $28,300 | $28,300 | $9,833 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Greenville, IL
- Student Body
- 955 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,533
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,827
- Median Student Debt
- $23,875