Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois · Private Nonprofit · 97.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 29/100 · Poor Value
Greenville University in Greenville, Illinois scores ROI 29 (Poor Value) -- a small Free Methodist Christian liberal arts school with 955 undergraduates in rural southwestern Illinois. Median 6-year earnings land at $33,200, rising to $46,827 at 10 years. The completion rate of 39.8% means fewer than four in ten enrolled students graduate -- one of the lower completion rates in this analysis. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.719 and payback period of 18.4 years are both Poor Value territory. The school admits 97.5% of applicants with an enormous ACT spread (16-28), indicating it functions as an open-enrollment institution for its faith community. Business Administration (29 graduates, C+ ROI grade) is the strongest earnings program. Teacher Education (42 graduates, C ROI grade) is the largest program. Greenville's rural location -- about an hour east of St. Louis -- limits local employer access for most graduates.
The data raises concerns about Greenville University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score29/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate39.8% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period18.4 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Greenville University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $32,200/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $32,200/yr |
| Average net price | $19,533/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $78,132 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,827 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,875 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $253 |
| Estimated payback period | 18.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 39.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 955 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Greenville University is $32,200/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,533/year, or roughly $78,132 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $19,181/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,903/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,875 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $253 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $46,827 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.72 - 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 | $19,181 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,313 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,988 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,650 |
| $110,001+ | $24,903 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $19,181 per year -- above the $19,533 average, a counterintuitive result for the lowest income bracket. Over four years that is roughly $76,724. Against $33,200 median 6-year earnings and a 39.8% completion rate, low-income students face the worst risk scenario: private-school costs, poor completion odds, and modest expected earnings even for graduates.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket pays $15,313 -- significantly less than the lowest bracket. The 48,001-75,000 bracket drops further to $13,988, and the 75,001-110,000 bracket climbs to $20,650. The unusual shape -- middle brackets paying less than the lowest -- likely reflects how institutional grant aid is structured. The $13,988 net price at $48-75k income is the most affordable tier.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $24,903 per year. Over four years that is roughly $99,612. Against 10-year median earnings of $46,827, high-income families see a very poor lifetime ROI here. Greenville is a values choice for this income group, not a financial choice.
Earnings by Major
Top 3 most popular majors at Greenville University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $42,180 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $59,241 | C+ |
| Human Resources Management | $55,263 | - |
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 produces 29 graduates per year and is Greenville's highest-earning program. The 4-year median earnings of $59,241 (1-year not reported) and 0.477 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C+) with $28,250 median debt are the school's best financial signals. Graduates who move to St. Louis's business market will access larger employer networks than the rural Greenville economy offers. The program is small enough that individual mentorship is realistic; the challenge is the competitive disadvantage against Wash U, SLU, and Southern Illinois graduates in the same market.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education is the school's largest program at 42 graduates per year. Median 1-year earnings of $36,911 and 4-year earnings of $42,180 reflect Illinois teacher salaries in rural districts. The 0.599 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C) with $22,103 median debt is manageable for committed Illinois teachers. Greenville's location in Bond County provides direct access to regional school districts with ongoing demand. The key risk: Illinois teacher licensing and evaluation requirements mean students need to pass state exams that are not guaranteed by the 97.5% admission rate.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 76.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 97.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 365-615 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 406-615 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 16-28 |
| Enrollment | 955 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,650 |
Greenville admits 97.5% of applicants -- effectively open-enrollment. ACT 16-28, SAT Math 365-615, SAT Reading 406-615. The extreme ranges (SAT Math floor of 365, ACT floor of 16) confirm that virtually anyone who aligns with the school's faith community and applies is admitted. Academic preparation varies enormously in the admitted class, which likely contributes to the 39.8% completion rate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Greenville (ROI 29) sits in a peer group alongside Augustana College (ROI 67) -- which it does not resemble in any meaningful outcomes dimension. Rochester University and Hilbert College are closer comparable Christian colleges. Southern Virginia University is also in the peer set. Greenville's 39.8% completion rate and 0.719 debt ratio trail most comparable small Christian liberal arts schools, including Bob Jones University (ROI 47, completion 64.8%) and Hilbert (ROI not available). The school's financial profile is Poor Value by the data; its cultural value for Free Methodist community members is not captured by the Scorecard metrics.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville University (this school) | 29 | $19,533 | $46,827 |
| Augustana College | 67 | $22,736 | $62,971 |
| Hilbert College | 32 | $22,723 | $48,309 |
| Rochester University | 29 | $21,456 | $48,707 |
| Southern Virginia University | 26 | $22,213 | $50,002 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 21 | $49,790 | $40,151 |
Who Thrives Here
Greenville fits strongly Free Methodist or broadly evangelical Christian students who want a small, mission-driven community college with teaching or ministry pathways. The ACT 16-28 range spans nearly the full national spectrum, confirming that admission is driven by faith alignment rather than academic preparation. With 38.9% Pell recipients, this is a school with significant financial access challenges. The 39.8% completion rate is a severe warning: students who enroll face real barriers to finishing. Students who thrive tend to be deeply community-invested in the Free Methodist tradition and have specific vocational goals (teaching, ministry, music) that align with Greenville's strengths.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Greenville University. With a net cost of $19,533 per year and median graduate earnings of only $46,827 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 18.4 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 39.8% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $23,875 against $46,827 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.