John Brown University
John Brown University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
John Brown University at a Glance
John Brown University (JBU) is a private Christian university in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, United States. Founded in 1919, JBU enrolls approximately 2,250 students from over 30 states and 40 countries across its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online, and concurrent education programs. JBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and competes athletically in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
1919
107 years old
$213M
$212.6 million (2025)
2,343
1,376 undergrad · 483 grad
88
200 acres
Identity
Is John Brown University Worth It?
John Brown University offers moderate value at $20,397/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,907, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How John Brown University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #21 of 177 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 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #21 | John Brown University | 46 | $20,397 | $53,907 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of John Brown University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in AR.
Best Programs at John Brown University
The highest-earning program at John Brown University is Construction Management at $60,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services at $23,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Construction Management graduate from John Brown University earns $60,800, while a Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduate earns $23,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,397/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management | $60,800 | $60,800 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,500 | $52,500 | $21,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,500 | $40,500 | $19,536 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,100 | $33,100 | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,055 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $23,900 | $23,900 | $22,500 |
Similar Colleges in AR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Siloam Springs, AR
- Student Body
- 1,471 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,397
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,907
- Median Student Debt
- $21,250