Southwestern Adventist University
Southwestern Adventist University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southwestern Adventist University at a Glance
Southwestern Adventist University is a private Adventist university in Keene, Texas. It is owned by the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The university enrolls about 800 students on a rural, 150-acre campus.
1893
133 years old
Identity
Is Southwestern Adventist University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Southwestern Adventist University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,946 — 2% below average — while paying $22,778/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 47% 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 median debt of $26,998 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 Southwestern Adventist University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Southwestern Adventist University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #36 of 82 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #36 | Southwestern Adventist University | 27 | $22,778 | $52,946 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Southwestern Adventist University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in TX.
Best Programs at Southwestern Adventist University
The highest-earning program at Southwestern Adventist University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,700/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Southwestern Adventist University earns $63,700, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $63,700. 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 $30,250 in median debt vs. $30,250 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,778/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 | $63,700 | $63,700 | $30,250 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Keene, TX
- Student Body
- 570 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,778
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,946
- Median Student Debt
- $26,998