the affordable reality of attending a christian university

The Affordable Reality of

attending a Christian University

•Is money the only thing you can lose over the course of four years?

•Is this decision really one of the most important decisions of your life?

•Is the education worth the potential cost?

•Is the price tag worth the experience?

What really matters in your

college decision?

• College years are a time when people move from an imposed faith to an owned faith.

• Literature and research suggests a strong link between a young person’s choice of college and their short-term and long-term commitment to the Christian faith.Henderson, Steve, A Question of Price versus Cost,

Christianity Today, 2006.

Pivotal Years

•There is a correlation between the type of college students choose and what happens to their religious commitment during the college years.

•Students who attend Protestant affiliated institutions report the largest increase in overall religious commitment.

Henderson, Steve, A Question of Price versus Cost, Christianity Today, 2006.

Pivotal Years


•Research shows that most students are unprepared for the conflict of worldviews they will encounter at non-Christian colleges and universities.

•Incoming freshmen who identify themselves as “born-again” upon entering a public university that no longer indentify themselves as “born-again” four years later. Or if they still do, have not attended any religious service in over a year: 52

%

Pivotal Years


Over ½ of freshman students report a rejection of family religious values if they attend a public university.

Pivotal Years

•Is money the only thing you can lose over the course of four years? YES

•Is this decision really one of the most important decisions of your life? YES

AGAIN….What really matters in your college decision?

Faculty Instruction

Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, www.cic.edu, 2004.

100 % of NNU classes are taught by

professors, NOT teaching

assistants.

84%

40%

Alumni Who Benefited Very Much From Having Classes Taught by Pro-

fessors

http://www.cic.edu/

Faculty Interaction


It is not uncommon for NNU professors to invite groups of students into their home for meals, bible studies and

community gatherings.

60%

30%

Alumni Who Conversed With Faculty Members Outside of

Class

http://www.cic.edu/

Classroom Experience


When surveyed, NNU Alumni rate

“demonstrating ethical behavior and

following a life rooted in Christian values” as the skill that NNU had the greatest impact in assisting them to

attain.

62%

27%

Alumni Who Experienced Class-room Discussions Integrating

Values and Ethics

http://www.cic.edu/

Quality Education


NNU offers over 60 areas

of study, affording it’s

students with many choices

for professional careers

66%54%

Students Who Are “Very Satisfied” with the Education They Received

http://www.cic.edu/

Small Classes


NNU’s average class size is 18.

62%

13%

Alumni Who Benefited From Small Classes

http://www.cic.edu/

Quality Education

Council of Independent College, Making the Case, www.cic.edu, 2004.

When surveyed, 46% of NNU Alumni were accepted

into and attended graduate school.

61%40%

Alumni Who Say Their Education Was “Excellent”

http://www.cic.edu/

Community


When surveyed, 89% of NNU

Alumni communicate with former classmates

and 45% communicate with former professors.

Independent College and University Alumni

Total Public University Alumni

78%

55%

Alumni Who Felt a Sense of Community Among Students

http://www.cic.edu/

Satisfaction


More public university alumni surveyed agree that private institutions are better than publics in terms of quality.

91% of NNU alumni

surveyed, if given the

choice, would attend NNU

again.

63%38%

7%21%

A Private College or UniversityA Public University

http://www.cic.edu/

If money were no issue, 47% of

Americans would send their child to a

private college, while only 22% would choose a public

universityCouncil of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, www.cic.edu, 2004.

Did you know?

http://www.cic.edu/

Financial Assistance


According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition that students pay at private colleges has actually declined over the past decade, after adjusting for grant aid and inflation.

http://www.cic.edu/



Largest source of assistance from private colleges is institutional aid

Institutional Aid, 29%

Federal Grants; 11%

State Grants, 10%

Loans, 20%

Work-Study, 6%

Family Contribution, 24%

http://www.cic.edu/



Private colleges provide a large amount of financial aid to their students: 63 percent of independent college alumni surveyed reported receiving grants or scholarships.


National Public University Alumni

63%

44%

http://www.cic.edu/

Timely Degree Completion


Private college alumni surveyed are more likely to have graduated in four years or less (72 % vs. 52%).

Research shows those who earn a bachelor’s degree

will likely earn 40% more than

those who do not attend college.


Total Public University Alumni

72%

52%

http://www.cic.edu/


Graduating in 4 Years from an Independent College or University Scenario Graduating in More than 4 years from a State College

or University

Student enrolls in an independent college or university Students enrolls in a four-year college or university

Average net tuition (after grant aid):$10,900 x 4 years

Average four-year net tuition:$43,600

Years 1 to 4

Average net tuition (after grant aid):$3,400 x 4 years

Average four-year net tuition:$13,600

Student earns degree and enters workforce Student continues in school

Year 5

5th year average net tuition:$3,400

Average lost income in 5th year:$30,000

Student earns degree and enters workforce

Student continues in school

Year 6

6th year average net tuition: $3,400

Average lost income in 6th year: $30,000

Independent College or University State College or University

4 years Time-to-degree 5 years 6 years

$43, 600 Net tuition $17,000 $20,400

$0Lost income during add’l

time-to-degree$30,000 $60,000

$43,600 $47, 000 $80,400

How Time-to-Degree Affects the “Price” of a Bachelor’s Degree

http://www.cic.edu/

Students of all Income Levels


Contrary to popular perception, small and mid-sized private colleges and universities enroll a greater proportion of low-income students and a smaller proportion of high-income students than the larger public research universities.

http://www.cic.edu/

Students of all Income Levels


Students receiving Pell Grants make up a larger proportion of the student bodies at small and mid-sized independent colleges and universities than at other types of four-year institutions.

Private Non-Doctoral Total Public University Alumni

31%

24%

http://www.cic.edu/

“At Risk Students”


Private institutions do a better job of helping at-risk students attain their degrees. In fact, students with multiple risk factors graduate from private institutions at more than twice the rate of their peers at public institutions.

One Two or Three Four or More

50%

37%29%

40%

15% 13%

All Independent Four-Year All Public Four-Year

http://www.cic.edu/

Financial Aid FactsNumber of students denied

financial aid who were eligible:

0NNU students who receive

financial aid

95%

Financial Aid FactsStudents in community college who drop out in the first year:

50%NNU freshmen who return the

following semester:

91%

Financial Aid FactsNNU students who receive

scholarships and/or grants from external sources

75%NNU freshmen receiving academic scholarships:

79%

Financial Aid Facts2008-2009 Academic Awards

ACT SAT 2.75-2.99 3.0-3.24 3.25-3.49 3.50-3.74 3.75-4.036 1600 7 8 9 10 1035 1560-1590 7 8 9 10 1034 1520-1550 7 8 9 9 933 1460-1510 6 7 8 9 932 1410-1450 6 7 8 8 931 1360-1400 5 6 7 8 830 1320-1350 5 6 7 7 829 1280-1310 4 5 6 7 828 1240-1270 4 5 6 6 727 1210-1230 4 4 5 6 726 1170-1200 3 4 5 5 625 1130-1160 3 4 4 5 624 1090-1120 2 3 4 4 523 1060-1080 2 3 4 4 522 1020-1050 1 2 3 4 421 980-1010 1 2 3 3 420 940-970 1 1 2 3 319 900-930 0 1 2 2 218 860-890 0 0 1 2 217 820-850 0 0 0 1 2

Financial Aid Facts

AAQ $15,001+ or no FAFSA $10,001-15,000 $6,001-10,000 $3,801-6,000 $0-3800

10 $6,800 $7,300 $7,800 $8,300 $8,800

9 $6,200 $6,700 $7,200 $7,700 $8,200

8 $5,800 $6,300 $6,800 $7,300 $7,800

7 $5,200 $5,700 $6,200 $6,700 $7,200

6 $4,800 $5,300 $5,800 $6,300 $6,800

5 $4,200 $4,700 $5,200 $5,700 $6,200

4 $3,800 $4,300 $4,800 $5,300 $5,800

3 $3,400 $3,900 $4,400 $4,900 $5,400

2 $2,600 $3,100 $3,600 $4,100 $4,600

1 $2,200 $2,700 $3,200 $3,700 $4,200

0 $1,800 $2,300 $2,800 $3,300 $3,800

2008-2009 Academic Awards

Financial Aid FactsNational average college debt

load at private schools:

$19,400Difference from average annual

debt load at a state school

6%

Financial Aid FactsTotal amount of NNU scholarships

and grants given to students:

$6,603,064NNU Discount Rate:

29% i.e. - $290 of every $1000 paid in

tuition is discounted by NNU.

• Is the education worth the potential cost? YES

• Is the price tag worth the experience? YES

AGAIN….What really matters in your college decision?

1. Consider attending a faith-based university, such as NNU.

Research shows that the first year is the most

critical to one’s religious commitment in

college.

2. Don’t be blinded by dollar signs.

The “sticker price” is rarely the actual price for

those who need financial assistance.

Recommendations

for Students

3. Don’t put too much emphasis on the availability of majors.

Too many students view Christian colleges as

having too limited a number of majors, when, realistically, they are stronger academically.

4. Get in church and get involved.

The most important thing you can do to maintain and increase your religious commitment is to get involved with a local fellowship.

Recommendations

for Students

5. Academics should remain one of your top priorities.

Students that do well academically in high school, i.e. GPA and test score, consistently receive more financial aid.

6. Once in college, find good Christian friends and connect with caring Christian faculty.

Christian peers are critical to the development of any believer, more so for the college freshman.

Recommendations

for Students

1. Weigh the potential risks to your child’s long-term Christian commitment alongside the financial costs.

Christian students need to grow spiritually and academically.

2. Support and encourage the continuance of spiritual development at local church fellowships.

This is the most important sign that a student’s religious commitment is maturing.

Recommendations

for Parents

3. Once your student is in college, support and encourage involvement in campus ministries.

Research shows that students need only ONE affinity group to feel connected to the University they attend.

4. Stay involved with your college student(s).

Stay in touch with your college son or daughter in meaningful ways. Avoid being a “helicopter parent” who hovers over every aspect of the student’s life.

Recommendations

for Parents

5. Control purchases now to plan for the future.

Consider putting off purchases now to save for your child’s education.

6. Keep Praying.

You have a tremendous role in helping your child become the adult God has designed him or her

to be.

Recommendations

for Parents

Northwest Nazarene Universitywww.nnu4you.comToll free: 877-NNU-4YOU

Thank You!

http://www.nnu4you.com/

the affordable reality of attending a christian university

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