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, 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, Pivotal Years

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

Henderson, Steve, A Question of Price versus Cost, Christianity Today, 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, % of NNU classes are taught by professors, NOT teaching assistants.

Faculty Interaction Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, It is not uncommon for NNU professors to invite groups of students into their home for meals, bible studies and community gatherings.

Classroom Experience Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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.

Quality Education Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, NNU offers over 60 areas of study, affording it’s students with many choices for professional careers

Small Classes Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, NNU’s average class size is 18.

Quality Education Council of Independent College, Making the Case, When surveyed, 46% of NNU Alumni were accepted into and attended graduate school.

Community Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, When surveyed, 89% of NNU Alumni communicate with former classmates and 45% communicate with former professors.

Satisfaction Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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.

If money were no issue, 47% of Americans would send their child to a private college, while only 22% would choose a public university Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, Did you know?

Financial Assistance Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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.

Financial Assistance Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, Largest source of assistance from private colleges is institutional aid

Financial Assistance Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, Private colleges provide a large amount of financial aid to their students: 63 percent of independent college alumni surveyed reported receiving grants or scholarships.

Timely Degree Completion Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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.

Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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 universityStudents 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 workforceStudent continues in school Year 5 5 th year average net tuition: $3,400 Average lost income in 5 th year: $30,000 Student earns degree and enters workforce Student continues in school Year 6 6 th year average net tuition: $3,400 Average lost income in 6 th year: $30,000 Independent College or UniversityState College or University 4 yearsTime-to-degree5 years6 years $43, 600Net tuition$17,000$20,400 $0 Lost 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

Students of all Income Levels Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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.

Students of all Income Levels Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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.

“At Risk Students” Council of Independent Colleges, Making the Case, 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.

Financial Aid Facts Number of students denied financial aid who were eligible: 0 NNU students who receive financial aid 95%

Financial Aid Facts Students in community college who drop out in the first year: 50% NNU freshmen who return the following semester: 91%

Financial Aid Facts NNU students who receive scholarships and/or grants from external sources 75% NNU freshmen receiving academic scholarships: 79%

Financial Aid Facts Academic Awards ACTSAT

Financial Aid Facts AAQ $15,001+ or no FAFSA$10,001-15,000$6,001-10,000$3,801-6,000$ $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, Academic Awards

Financial Aid Facts National average college debt load at private schools: $19,400 Difference from average annual debt load at a state school 6%

Financial Aid Facts Total amount of NNU scholarships and grants given to students: $6,603,064 NNU 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

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