Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina · Private Nonprofit · 62.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 10/100 · Poor Value
Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU) is a very small private Christian institution in Elizabeth City, NC, enrolling about 132 students. It carries the lowest overall ROI score (10) in this review batch — and one of the lowest in the full Scorecard data. The metrics are severe: an earnings premium of only 4.6% above non-college workers, a payback period of 63.8 years (effectively indefinite), a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.08, and a completion rate of just 20.75%. Median six-year earnings of $24,900 are below the full-time minimum wage at $15/hour annually. Only two programs are reported: Missions/Missionary Studies and Bible/Biblical Studies. Bible Studies graduates (5 reported) earn $11,491 in year one and $26,873 at four years against $23,422 in median debt — a 2.04 debt-to-earnings ratio that is the worst single-program metric in this review. MACU's institutional mission is explicitly vocational Christian ministry training, not workforce preparation in the conventional sense. Students who enroll here are typically seeking ordination, mission service, or church leadership roles where monetary compensation is secondary to calling. Evaluating MACU through a standard ROI lens fundamentally misaligns instrument to purpose — but families bearing loan debt deserve the data.
The data raises concerns about Mid-Atlantic Christian University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score10/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Debt-to-earnings1.08 - Advisors recommend total student debt stay below one year of salary (ratio under 1.0).
- 6-year graduation rate20.8% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $17,280/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $17,280/yr |
| Average net price | $18,328/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $73,312 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,342 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $24,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 20.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 132 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Mid-Atlantic Christian University is $17,280/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,328/year, or roughly $73,312 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,512/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,004/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $38,342 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.08 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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 | $17,512 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,406 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,385 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,476 |
| $110,001+ | $20,004 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (under $30,000) pay $17,512 net — nearly identical to other income brackets, reflecting minimal income-based aid differentiation. At this cost, four-year investment approaches $70,000. With median six-year earnings of $24,900, this is financially unsustainable without significant debt forgiveness, ministry employer benefits, or family support. Low-income students at MACU should consider whether the specific credentialing goals can be achieved through affiliated lower-cost programs or scholarship-funded theological colleges.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001–$48,000 band pays $16,406 net — slightly lower, but still substantial for a very small institution with Poor Value ROI metrics. Middle-income families co-borrowing PLUS loans face significant exposure at a school with a 63.8-year payback period. If the student is determined to pursue ministry education at MACU, maximizing subsidized federal loans (where interest doesn't accrue in school) and applying for every available institutional and denominational scholarship are essential first steps.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $20,004 net. At this income, the family can presumably fund the education without debt, which transforms the ROI calculus: if there is no debt, there is no payback problem. High-income families whose students are called to ministry vocations and who can fund MACU out-of-pocket without borrowing are in the only scenario where this institution's financial outcomes are acceptable under any ROI framework.
Earnings by Major
Top 2 most popular majors at Mid-Atlantic Christian University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | $26,873 | F |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | $32,383 | - |
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.
Bible/Biblical Studies
Bible/Biblical Studies (5 graduates) earns $11,491 at one year and $26,873 at four years against $23,422 median debt — a 2.04 ratio, F grade. These figures are the lowest absolute earnings in this review batch. They reflect that ministry and church work — the primary vocations this degree targets — are typically low-wage or stipend-based, particularly in early career. Students who graduate and enter pastoral ministry may access housing allowances and ministry-specific tax benefits that somewhat offset the wage level, but the debt burden is nonetheless significant relative to expected income.
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
Missions/Missiology projects $32,383 in four-year earnings — higher than Bible Studies but still modest. Graduate count and debt data are not reported, limiting analysis. Missiology graduates enter international missions organizations, NGOs, and church-based relief organizations. Compensation structures in these organizations vary widely and often include housing, healthcare, and support-raising components that make standard wage comparisons misleading. Students should research specific sending organizations' support models before committing to the degree-to-career path.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 60.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 65.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 43.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 54.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 62.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 440-570 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 390-640 |
| Enrollment | 132 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 37.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,406 |
MACU admits 62.2% of applicants. SAT mid-range is 440–570 (math) and 390–640 (reading) — wide ranges reflecting a small and diverse applicant pool. ACT data is not reported. Admission is accessible for Christian students who align with the institution's doctrinal statement. Applicants should expect to articulate their ministry calling and church community involvement in the application process.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
MACU's ROI score of 10 is the lowest in this review batch and is appropriate only for the institution's specific mission context. Among its listed peers — Barton College, Belmont Abbey, Clinton College, Crowley's Ridge College, and Central Christian College of the Bible — MACU is in the weakest financial outcomes tier. Most small Bible colleges and Christian universities with similar program profiles share MACU's low earnings outcomes. The peer set captures this reality. Students comparing Bible colleges should evaluate financial transparency, debt counseling practices, and whether the institution discloses its Scorecard outcomes proactively to prospective students — not just whether one school scores marginally better than another on a scale where all are in the Poor Value tier.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Atlantic Christian University (this school) | 10 | $18,328 | $38,342 |
| Barton College | 24 | $23,626 | $47,913 |
| Belmont Abbey College | 24 | $24,639 | $47,937 |
| Central Christian College of the Bible | 15 | $14,356 | $34,675 |
| Crowley's Ridge College | 12 | $16,315 | $39,533 |
| Clinton College | 8 | $11,458 | $30,180 |
Who Thrives Here
MACU is a fit for students called to Christian ministry vocations — pastoral work, mission service, or church leadership — who prioritize faith formation and theological education over labor market earnings. Students considering MACU should plan to minimize debt aggressively, pursue income-driven repayment from graduation, and investigate ministry vocation tax exemptions and PSLF eligibility for nonprofit/church employment. Students seeking a biblical education alongside a marketable credential should consider dual-degree programs at institutions that pair theology with business, counseling, or education.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Mid-Atlantic Christian University. With a net cost of $18,328 per year and median graduate earnings of only $38,342 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 20.8% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $27,000 against $38,342 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
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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.