Calculating the Return on Investment of a Christ-centered College Education

College Advice, Student Life

There is no question that a college education is an investment in your future — and not only financially. College requires time for study and an investment of hours needed to generate positive results. It takes involvement from friends, mentors, and family members to nurture and cultivate students. And it takes resources to ensure you can begin and complete a program.

With so many factors—not to mention rising tuition and fees over the last decade at both public and private colleges and universities—college is an investment that can lead many prospective students to question whether it's worth the cost.

But it absolutely is. Your investment in this transformative education will pay off — both for your career and your calling.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

— 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

Why Is College Worth the Investment?

Estimated financial earnings found on a college degree ROI calculator tell only part of the story! There are many long-term benefits to a college education that more than justify the investment and the expenses associated with it.

Higher Earning Potential

While there is far more to a college education than earning potential, a bachelor's degree does often correspond to higher salaries. A recent study, which included full-time workers' earnings over a career from age 25 to 64, found that having a bachelor's degree "is worth $2.8 million on average over a lifetime" — compared with less than $1 million for those who did not have a high school diploma, according to PolitiFact. The study also found that those with a bachelor's degree earned 31% more than those with associate's degrees and 84% more than those who had high school diplomas.

More Career Possibilities

With a college education, you'll likely have more opportunities for a range of potential career paths — and have more flexibility to change jobs and choose the best place for you to work. That's because college graduates generally see 57% more job opportunities than non-graduates. In addition, a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 75% of employers still view higher education as valuable.

Competitive Advantage

Many of the jobs across four of the fastest-growing occupations — health care, STEM, education, and government services — require a college education. So, if you're interested in pursuing one of these subjects, you will have competitive marketability as a skilled, college-educated professional. Even if your calling lies somewhere else, a bachelor's degree will often provide an advantage over non-college-educated applicants.

Professional Fulfillment

A college education can help put you on the path to professional fulfillment as you solidify your calling. DBU produces thoughtful Christian leaders who are diverse in their professional pursuits yet united in their purpose by integrating faith into all areas of learning. College also provides opportunities you might not otherwise have — including building a professional network of mentors, peers, and potential employers, which can pay dividends for your future career.

Personal Empowerment

Earning your college degree is a huge accomplishment, and as such, it's confidence-boosting and empowering. In fact, those with a bachelor's degree actually report higher levels of self-esteem than high school graduates. A college education can also help prepare you to conquer future challenges and effectively cope with adversity.

Holistic Growth

College is a great way to discover yourself while strengthening your faith. You'll learn what you're good at, what drives you, and how you want to pursue your unique calling. Students at DBU do more than grow in their knowledge and expertise. They grow holistically through an education that shapes them to become Christ-centered servant leaders whose hearts are dedicated to transforming the world for the glory of God.

The Value of a DBU Education

DBU graduates have one of the lowest debt burdens among private and even some public schools in the state of Texas. That's because we do everything possible to ensure we help enrolled students find ways to pay for college without accumulating large amounts of student loan debt. What's more, DBU is one of the more affordable private universities, with an average cost of college that is well below similarly esteemed schools.

DBU also offers many private scholarships and has a dedicated Director of Scholarships who has researched and developed relationships with private foundations and organizations.

Companies actively pursue graduates from Christian colleges due to their renowned commitment to professionalism and ethical conduct, making them highly desirable candidates for employment.

Your college years are fun yet also formative, preparing you for all the Lord has in store for you! When you cross the stage after your time at DBU, you'll be walking away with so much more than just a diploma. Nationally recognized for its outstanding Christ-centered education, DBU is a transformative college experience and an investment that will bring a lifetime of returns.