Is Bryan Really Worth the Cost??
With the rising cost of receiving a college degree, skyrocketing student loan debt and a weak job market it is no wonder that there are articles written every day asking about the value of higher education. Even President Obama has called for colleges to find ways to rein in exorbitant tuition increases. It is certainly true that college is not cheap. Harvard stickered at just under $40,000 this year! Undoubtedly, even at half the cost, more than a few students have to weigh the value of starting or continuing their education at Bryan, attending a public university or dropping/delaying school attendance altogether. It can be a complex and difficult decision.
The Positives of a Bryan Education
Sometimes the hype surrounding the latest media topic can obscure the facts and lead to an uninformed or misinformed decision. There are a lot of aspects that can go into making choices about college. Ultimately you have to consider the options and make up your own mind, but I would like to share just a few areas that may give you some additional confidence about being or becoming a student at Bryan.
Increased Earning & Less Debt
· A college graduate earns $412 more per week ($21,424 per year) than students who did not attend or finish college
· A Bryan graduate, on average, who works from ages 25 to 67 can earn an extra $899,808 that amounts to a 7.6% annual return on an average $61,000 tuition investment
· The average student at Bryan is burdened with $11,950 ($15,700 vs. $27,650) less student loan debt after school than the average student at other private non-profit colleges nationwide
Preparation for Life after College
· A college graduate has significantly more marketability in a world where the average working American will switch jobs 11 times over the course of their career
· A liberal arts education from Bryan is designed to give graduates a broad knowledge base and the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing marketplace
Statistically Higher Job Opportunities
· The unemployment rate of those with a college degree is half that of those without a college education
· Employers and ministries who have experienced the skill and adaptability of a Bryan graduate are significantly more likely to seek out Bryan grads to fill other open positions
Competitive Graduation Rates
· Students who enter college for the first time as freshmen at Bryan are 3 times more likely to graduate from Bryan within 4 years than freshmen entering the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC ) are to graduate from UTC within the same timeframe
· Bryan graduates a higher percentage of students than any other college or university in the area, including UTC, Tennessee Wesleyan and Lee University
Low Cost & Generous Institutional Aid
· The cost of one year of a private, Christian higher education at Bryan is within $3,700 of the net price of attending UTC
· Bryan tuition rose from 2010-11 to 2011-12 at less than half the rate of UTC and a year at Bryan costs 16% less than the average Christian college
· 96% of Bryan students receive gift aid from the college versus only 26% of their UTC counterparts
Ability to Live Out a Vibrant Christian Faith
· Bryan’s efforts in and out of the classroom, from teaching a biblical worldview to an emphasis on spiritual formation, focus on making servants of Christ who will be able to make a difference in the world
· Many secular schools are downright hostile to the Christian faith, including some who ban Christian student groups that attempt to hold to their values
· Bryan provides an environment during the pivotal college years where faith can be analyzed and strengthened and students are equipped to face and shape the broader culture with confidence
The Eye of the Beholder
As you can see, there is a ton of value packed into an intimate, Christ-centered, academically rigorous private college education at Bryan. However, worth is often found in the eye of the beholder. You might be drawn or called to some other school or some other endeavor. If so, don’t ignore it. But if you are comparing apples to apples Bryan makes a lot of sense and cents. That’s the bottom lion.
I think Bryan is worth it because of the relationships I’ve built here. Also the academics are rigorous… Which is the most important part.
Because of the people!
Bryan’s worth it for me because it’s close to home and has small class sizes. Not only do I get to spend time with my family while attending college, but my professors know my name and can provide one on one time with you if you need it. That definitely doesn’t happen very often at huge universities.
I think that Bryan is worth it because I have already experienced such tremendous spiritual growth here. I have built good relationships with others and my relationship with God has grown so much. It is clear to me that this is where He wants me, and unless things change, I can’t imagine going anywhere else.
Yeah I would agree Bryan is worth it if I had the money. I would accrue over $50,000 in loans if I stayed because being an out-of-state student [is difficult] as far as scholarships. The school and the people here are wonderful, but I can’t afford to be in debt for the next 20 years.
That is a difficult position to be in. TheBottomLion certainly does not advocate for going into excessive debt. I agree that out of state students are at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to access to financial aid from state sources. Before making a tough decision to leave Bryan based on finances we encourgae you (and any other student) to visit the financial aid office to discuss available options first.
I’ve already gone to the financial aid office to discuss other options, but there really weren’t any (other than writing a letter to the board). I appreciated the kindness of the people who tried to help! They were a good encouragement (I promise I’m not bitter or anything!). I understand that Bryan has limited funds, so it’s difficult to help every student. I guess out-of-state students are just out of luck when it comes to scholarship.
I agree as an out of state student also. I will be going into even more debt than $50,000. So the question is will a Bryan college education be enough to find a job that will get me out of this major hole of debt. Yes, Bryan is a great school with great people, but is it all worth it in the long run?
Your question is of critical importance. You see the positives of a Bryan education but each student must ask themselves; “will the benefits outweigh the costs?” This is where analysis and “eye of the beholder” considerations come into play. You may consider speaking with Bryan Career Services to determine if your chosen major will provide a job to support your debt load. And as always, see the financial aid office for help.
Thank you for being honest, Kyle. Ultimately, if God is calling you to an expensive school like Bryan, He’s going to provide. I know how cliche that sounds, but I’ve already seen it proven in my life. I still doubt at times, but I’ve seen God provide in insanely amazing ways. And there’s a freedom in letting go of the numbers and accepting the fact they won’t always add up. I pray, I work as hard as I can to earn tuition money and find scholarships, and I leave the rest up to God. He hasn’t failed me yet, and in spite of my financial status, I haven’t had need of anything. So I want to encourage you to be like Abraham:
“He did not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was also able to perform.” -Rom 4:20-21
May God bless you and provide for you, Kyle! Great is His faithfulness…
Bryan has been a great place for me to foster friendships both in and out of the classroom, and to experience rigorous but fun extra-curricular activities like being in several Hilltop Players productions over my time at Bryan. I have also loved getting to know my professors and spend time hanging out with them outside of class time.
It’s been fun!
It would be nice if Bryan could create some additional scholarship options for those who are going into non-profit/ministry fields – people like myself, with a Psychology degree, working 3 jobs concurrently while at Bryan, who want to work with international child care ministries but have had to put their dreams *on hold* for a bit to pay off school loans, rather than jumping right into the field, support raising, interning, etc.
Even loan forgiveness programs require that minimum interest be paid for 10yrs., which can’t always be supported on an intern or ministry salary.
The years spent working off debt are not wasted years, but they are years that have to potential to dampen the students’ passion and vision, and could result in Bryan students settling for the comfortable and mediocre, rather than making significant strides to “impact the world for Christ”!
So yes, an education at Bryan COULD result in a higher paying job, a better salary, etc. But for some of us who follow God’s call on our lives, that means using our education at Bryan in a setting where we get paid with food, clothing, housing, and lives that our touched through our ministry with a relatively small paycheck.
Your thoughts and suggestions are truly appreciated. It can really be a challenge to make the choice to spend thousands of dollars on a Christ-centered education but realize that your career goals will not afford you some of the monetary benefits that other Bryan grads may experience in other fields. I am glad that you mention the numerous other blessings that God provides to those who answer to His call on their lives, be it in a Christian or secular vocation.
Bryan is definitely worth it. I have made a great many friends and learned a lot about myself, my relationship with God, and have received a great education. The professors really do care here, and so all of those things make the cost worth it.
While Bryan has a lot of great advantages, its highest worth isn’t just the potential for success it has to offer. The people here at Bryan are the heart of the school. Go anywhere else, and you may get cheaper prices or a more extensive program, but the opportunity for interacting with peers and professors on a personal level is slim there. Bryan offers a place where you can make deep, meaningful, lasting relationships and this is something that is harder to come by at schools like UTC or Tenn. Tech.
A college education is a must for my career ambition, a teacher. I wanted to be trained from a Christian point of view. Yes, a state college may have trained me well but as far as instilling an attitude of love and compassion towards my students? Not so sure. Bryan is worth the extra cost to feel equipped to do my job in a Christ-like manner.
I am so very blessed to be able to come to a school like bryan. I never thought inwould be in the great situation that i’m in, but god has provided a way and i’m grateful. To me it is all worth it for the formative christian education that I receive here. I have had a chance to go deeper in my faith than ever before.