John Brown University
#1 Best Colleges in Arkansas- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,907 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,397 C-
- 19% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 76% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in Arkansas.
Every $1 spent returns $15.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,219,061.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 32% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.10% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why John Brown University Matters
John Brown University is a private university in Siloam Springs, AR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,471
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose John Brown University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 76% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,397 a year after grants and scholarships — 19% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,907 ten years after enrolling — 32% above the typical college, against $21,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 25% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.62 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Seventy-six percent of applicants are accepted at John Brown University, making it a more accessible choice for students seeking a private education. With an enrollment of 1,471, the university maintains a close-knit community atmosphere. Graduates often report strong earnings, with a median income of $53,907 ten years post-graduation.
The outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds are not fully detailed, but the school has a Pell Grant rate of 24%. This indicates that a significant number of students benefit from need-based financial aid, which is crucial for enhancing access to education. While specific mobility rates are not available, the overall graduation rate stands at 69%, suggesting that many students successfully complete their degrees.
The net price of attending John Brown University is $20,397, with a median debt of $21,250. This financial landscape suggests that graduates may leave with manageable debt relative to their earning potential. Students who thrive here are often those pursuing degrees in Business, Visual Arts, Psychology, Health Professions, and Engineering, reflecting a strong focus on practical, career-oriented programs.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective John Brown University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into John Brown University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, John Brown University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,195. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- SAT Average
- 1195
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1070–1340
- ACT Range
- 21–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 96%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,468
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 1,490
- Admitted
- 844
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend John Brown University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at John Brown University is $31,756, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,397. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,484 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $31,756
- Out-of-State
- $31,756
- Avg Net Price
- $20,397
- Median Debt
- $21,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,484
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,210
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,655
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,627
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is John Brown University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of John Brown University earn a median of $53,907, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,114
- 8 Years
- $49,481
- 10 Years
- $53,907
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (178)
- 56%
- 100% (178)
- 56%
- 100% (178)
- 56%
- 100% (178)
- 56%
How John Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is John Brown University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, John Brown University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,397/year ($81,588 total). Graduates earn $53,907 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,300,649 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,219,061 (15.9× your investment). The median debt is $21,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $81,588
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,300,649
- Net Return
- $1,219,061
- ROI Multiple
- 15.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,397
- Median Debt
- $21,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does John Brown University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
John Brown University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.10%, among the highest in the country. About 8.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.10%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $86,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,347,488
- Investment Income
- $-11,613,581
Top Programs
The fields John Brown University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 23%
- Visual & Performing Arts 13%
- Psychology 10%
- Health Professions 8%
- Engineering 5%
- Education 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- English & Literature 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for John Brown University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into John Brown University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, John Brown University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,195. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend John Brown University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at John Brown University is $31,756, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,397. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,484 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,250 in federal student loans.
Is John Brown University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of John Brown University earn a median of $53,907, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does John Brown University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
John Brown University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.10%, among the highest in the country. About 8.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is John Brown University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at John Brown University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to John Brown University.
- Oklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City, OK · Close peer65% grad $54,655 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR · Close peer66% grad $51,673 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of EvansvilleEvansville, IN · Close peer68% grad $53,770 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Willamette UniversitySalem, OR · Close peer72% grad $56,911 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Seton Hill UniversityGreensburg, PA · Close peer69% grad $51,748 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Caldwell UniversityCaldwell, NJ · Close peer58% grad $53,843 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is John Brown University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at John Brown University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note