Southwest Baptist University
- Graduation Rate
- 53% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,112 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $21,677 D+
- 26% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 68% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $883,929.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southwest Baptist University Matters
Southwest Baptist University is a private university in Bolivar, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,341
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 75
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose Southwest Baptist 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 68% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 810–1210. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,677 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,112 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $20,957 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 73% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.59 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Southwest Baptist University, you'll find a community that’s especially welcoming to students interested in health professions, education, business and marketing, psychology, and computer science. With about 1,341 students enrolled and a 68% acceptance rate, it caters to those seeking a supportive environment for their studies. The graduation rate stands at 53%, highlighting a determination among students to complete their degrees and prepare for the workforce.
After graduation, students can expect an average earning of $43,112 within ten years. This figure reflects a solid return on investment, especially when you consider that 36% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help ease financial burdens. While specific mobility data isn't provided, the earnings potential suggests that many graduates move into stable careers.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid sits at $21,677, and the median debt accumulated by graduates is $20,957. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit atmosphere and a focus on practical career outcomes. If you're looking for a place that balances academic pursuits with community support, this could be a solid option.
Rankings
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #18 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #18 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #23 Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
- #28 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #30 Best Master's Programs in Missouri
- #31 Best Online Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bolivar, Missouri, Southwest Baptist University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,088. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 1088
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 810–1210
- ACT Range
- 17–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 39%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,072
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 881
- Admitted
- 877
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 Southwest Baptist University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwest Baptist University is $30,566, 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 $21,677. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,978 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,957 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $30,566
- Out-of-State
- $30,566
- Avg Net Price
- $21,677
- Median Debt
- $20,957
- Pell Grant Rate
- 36%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 50%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $21,978
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,947
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,633
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,857
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southwest Baptist University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwest Baptist University report median earnings of $43,112, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,855
- 8 Years
- $42,382
- 10 Years
- $43,112
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (156)
- 35%
- 100% (156)
- 35%
- 100% (156)
- 35%
- 100% (156)
- 35%
How Southwest 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 Southwest Baptist University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southwest Baptist University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,677/year ($86,708 total). Graduates earn $43,112 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $970,637 in total earnings — a net gain of $883,929 (11.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,957, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 53% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $86,708
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $970,637
- Net Return
- $883,929
- ROI Multiple
- 11.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,677
- Median Debt
- $20,957
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
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 Southwest Baptist University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwest Baptist University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.06%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.06%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $72,000
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,559,928
- Investment Income
- $-2,595,710
Top Programs
The fields Southwest Baptist 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.
- Health Professions 43%
- Education 12%
- Business & Marketing 8%
- Psychology 8%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Humanities 2%
- Criminal Justice 2%
- Biology & Biomedical 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southwest Baptist 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southwest Baptist University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bolivar, Missouri, Southwest Baptist University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,088. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwest Baptist University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwest Baptist University is $30,566, 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 $21,677. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,978 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,957 in federal student loans.
Is Southwest Baptist University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwest Baptist University report median earnings of $43,112, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Southwest Baptist University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwest Baptist University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.06%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), 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 Southwest Baptist University.
- University of MobileMobile, AL · Close peer56% grad $43,611 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SC · Close peer55% grad $43,035 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Asbury UniversityWilmore, KY · Close peer65% grad $42,368 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL · Close peer57% grad $51,262 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Drury UniversitySpringfield, MO · Close peer64% grad $40,694 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Converse UniversitySpartanburg, SC · Close peer54% grad $40,867 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), 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