Brescia University
Owensboro, Kentucky · Private Nonprofit · 35.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 40/100 · Poor Value
Brescia University scores 40 (Poor Value) — one of the weakest ROI scores among small private nonprofit colleges in this dataset. The headline problem is debt: median debt of $29,430 against $30,800 median 6-year earnings produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.956, meaning graduates owe nearly a full year's salary the moment they complete the degree. The 16.7-year payback period is unsustainable for most graduates. Only 53.7% of students complete the degree, and the repayment rate data shows that only 66.7% of borrowers are reducing their loan balance after three years. The net price of $8,709 looks cheap for a private university, but the earnings outcomes do not justify even modest borrowing at this school's dominant program mix.
The data raises concerns about Brescia University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score40/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period16.7 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Brescia University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $31,550/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $31,550/yr |
| Average net price | $8,709/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $34,836 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,500 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $29,430 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $312 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 53.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 545 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Brescia University is $31,550/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $8,709/year, or roughly $34,836 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,977/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $5,548/year.
The median graduate leaves with $29,430 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $312 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $45,500 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.96 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,977 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,343 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,984 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,910 |
| $110,001+ | $5,548 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $8,977 net per year — nearly the same as higher-income brackets, suggesting Brescia's aid formula is relatively flat across income levels. At $30,800 median earnings after six years, even modest debt loads are burdensome. The 42.7% Pell rate means many students here are borrowing against poor earnings outcomes. Low-income students at Brescia face the highest financial risk.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $12,984 net per year — about $52,000 over four years. Against $30,800 median earnings, this is a difficult return. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.956 at the median means even middle-income families' students are likely to graduate with debt exceeding annual earnings.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ actually pay the lowest net price at Brescia: $5,548 per year — about $22,000 over four years. For high-income families who can pay without borrowing, the financial risk diminishes significantly. However, the earnings outcomes remain poor for most programs, making the opportunity cost of attending versus a higher-earning alternative a real consideration.
Earnings by Major
Top 3 most popular majors at Brescia University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work | $56,285 | F |
| Psychology | $22,619 | F |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $42,269 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration earns $42,269 at year one — the highest at Brescia — with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.578 (ROI grade C) and $24,415 median debt. Four-year earnings data is unavailable. This is Brescia's strongest ROI program, though C-grade performance at a school with this net price profile is uninspiring. Business graduates enter the Owensboro regional labor market, which has a limited ceiling.
Social Work
Social Work (41 graduates) is Brescia's highest-volume program with measurable outcomes, and the results are poor: $37,841 year-one earnings, $56,285 at year four, but $49,254 median debt — the highest debt load in the data for any program at this school. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.302 (ROI grade F) means graduates owe 1.3 times their annual salary at graduation. Social workers in Kentucky earn modest wages, and this debt level will be financially burdensome for years.
Psychology
Psychology (20 graduates) earns $22,619 at year one — near minimum wage in Kentucky — with $32,248 median debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.426 (ROI grade F). This is among the worst program-level ROI outcomes in the dataset. Psychology graduates who do not proceed to graduate school face a long period of financial distress servicing debt at this income level. Students interested in psychology should seriously consider whether this program prepares them for their intended career path before borrowing to attend.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 56.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 61.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 67.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 35.2% |
| Enrollment | 545 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,182 |
A 35.2% acceptance rate suggests Brescia is genuinely selective, though no SAT/ACT data is reported in the Scorecard. The admissions process is not the binding constraint here — the financial outcomes are. Students admitted to Brescia should apply this level of scrutiny to the program-level earnings data before enrolling.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Brescia's listed peers include Alice Lloyd College, Asbury University, Parker University, and College of Biblical Studies-Houston. Asbury University is a reasonable academic peer — also a small Kentucky private religious institution — but generally carries stronger outcomes and reputation in Christian higher education circles. Alice Lloyd College is tuition-free for Appalachian students, giving it a structural cost advantage. Brescia's ROI score of 40 is below the median for its peer group, driven primarily by its high debt-to-earnings ratios across all programs.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brescia University (this school) | 40 | $8,709 | $45,500 |
| College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 43 | $672 | $39,260 |
| Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion | 41 | $9,136 | $20,707 |
| Parker University | 39 | $29,135 | $42,091 |
| Asbury University | 29 | $21,401 | $42,368 |
| Alice Lloyd College | 18 | $18,600 | $40,573 |
Who Thrives Here
Brescia admits 35.2% of applicants — more selective than its outcomes warrant. The 545-student enrollment is very small, creating an intimate environment but also limiting program breadth and extracurricular options. The 42.7% Pell rate indicates that Brescia serves a significant share of low-income students who are the most vulnerable to its poor debt-to-earnings outcomes. Students pursuing social work or psychology — the two largest programs — face F-grade ROI by the Scorecard data. The school may appeal to students seeking a small Catholic liberal arts environment in Owensboro, Kentucky, but the financial risk is high for students who borrow.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Brescia University. With a net cost of $8,709 per year and median graduate earnings of only $45,500 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 16.7 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $29,430 against $45,500 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.