Degree Dividend
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Berea College vs Asbury University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Berea KY · vs · Private nonprofit, Wilmore KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Berea College comes closer — median earnings $43,150 against a $24,424 total, vs $42,368 at Asbury University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBerea CollegeAsbury University
Net price / yr$6,106$21,401
Total net cost$24,424$85,604
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,150$42,368
Median debt$3,591$24,028
Payback
20-year net return-$128,624-$205,444

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Berea College or Asbury University?

Berea College, at $6,106 a year after aid versus $21,401 — a gap of $15,295 a year, or $61,180 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Berea College or Asbury University graduates earn more?

Berea College graduates report a median $43,150 ten years after entry, $782 more than the $42,368 at Asbury University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Berea College or Asbury University?

Berea College: its completers carry a median $3,591 in federal loans versus $24,028 at Asbury University, a difference of $20,437. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Asbury University, against 58% at Berea College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Berea College vs Asbury University: frequently asked questions

Is Berea College or Asbury University a better value?
Berea College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Berea College or Asbury University?
Berea College: $6,106/yr net price after aid versus $21,401/yr at Asbury University — a difference of $15,295 a year, or about $61,180 over four years.
Do Berea College or Asbury University graduates earn more?
Berea College graduates earn a median $43,150 ten years after entry, versus $42,368 at Asbury University — a $782 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.