Southeastern University
Lakeland, Florida · Private Nonprofit · 53.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 24/100 · Poor Value
Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida earns a 24/100 ROI score and a Poor Value tier. The data reveals deep structural challenges. Median earnings six years after entry are $31,200, climbing to $46,744 by year ten -- weak absolute outcomes given the school's $32,950 sticker tuition and $31,942 net price. Note that net price is essentially equal to sticker, indicating very thin institutional aid; many students pay near full price. The four-year total cost is $127,768. The implied payback period is 22.8 years, well outside any reasonable economic justification. Median federal debt sits at $21,500 (a notably low figure given the high net price, indicating substantial private/parent borrowing or out-of-pocket payment beyond federal limits), producing a 0.689 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings premium of 9.2% over a high-school graduate is weak. Completion is 42.6%, well below average. Repayment performance is mediocre at 66% three-year. The program-mix is the proximate cause: 215 graduates in theological and ministerial studies (D grade), 86 in psychology (D), and 148 in business administration (D) anchor the cohort, while higher-earning programs like nursing remain small (48 graduates). The honest read: SEU's identity as an Assemblies of God-affiliated university with strong ministry-formation programs creates real value for students called to vocational ministry, but as a financial investment for any other program track the math is poor.
The data raises concerns about Southeastern University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score24/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period22.8 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Southeastern University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $32,950/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $32,950/yr |
| Average net price | $31,942/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $127,768 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,744 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $31,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | 22.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 42.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,813 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Southeastern University is $32,950/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $31,942/year, or roughly $127,768 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $29,498/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $34,482/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $228 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $46,744 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - 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 | $29,498 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,185 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,185 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,795 |
| $110,001+ | $34,482 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 face $29,498 net price. Note the bracket inversion: the $30K-$48K bracket pays $29,185 -- LESS than the $0-$30K bracket. This is unusual and suggests aid-stacking quirks worth questioning at the financial aid office. Across four years, low-income families face $117,992 net cost against $31,200 six-year median earnings -- the math does not work.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income brackets pay $29,185 ($30K-$48K), $31,185 ($48K-$75K), and $34,795 ($75K-$110K). The $75K-$110K bracket actually pays MORE than the $110K+ bracket ($34,482) -- another inversion. Aid is shallow and inconsistent across income bands, suggesting little need-based discounting and quirky merit allocation.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $34,482 -- effectively full sticker, with the bracket inversion noted above. Over four years that's $137,928 net. With $46,744 ten-year median earnings, this price point is only defensible for ministry-track students whose career calling justifies the expense. For any other program path, a Florida public would deliver better outcomes at one-fifth the net cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Southeastern University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $44,106 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $55,827 | D |
| Psychology | $48,011 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $46,427 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $61,909 | B |
| Social Work | $52,194 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,899 | D |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $55,318 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,343 | C |
| Teacher Education | $49,334 | 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.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is SEU's clear ROI bright spot. Graduates earn $70,612 one year out, with $26,763 median debt and a 0.379 debt-to-earnings ratio -- a B grade. Note that 4-year earnings ($61,909) are reported as LOWER than 1-year earnings, which is anomalous and likely reflects cohort composition or part-time/full-time mix shift in the 4-year sample. With 48 graduates, the program is meaningful but small. For prospective RN students the program is defensible.
Theological and Ministerial Studies
Theological/ministerial studies is SEU's largest program by graduates (215). Earnings are $29,809 one year out and $44,106 four years out, with $23,218 median debt and a 0.779 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade). For students called to ministry careers, the earnings reflect the realities of the field; the school delivers mission-aligned formation. The financial framing has to be honest: this is not an economic upgrade pathway.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business administration graduates earn $34,939 one year out and $55,827 four years out, with $24,886 median debt and a 0.712 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade). 148 graduates makes this SEU's largest non-ministry program. The earnings are notably weak relative to typical business graduate trajectories -- Florida public business programs (USF, UCF) produce graduates earning $50K+ one year out at one-fifth the net cost.
Psychology
Psychology graduates earn $26,915 one year out and $48,011 four years out, with $25,000 median debt and a 0.929 debt-to-earnings ratio -- a D grade. 86 graduates per cohort. As a terminal bachelor's psychology degree this is a financially weak outcome anywhere; pairing it with SEU's near-sticker pricing makes it harder to defend than at lower-cost alternatives.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates earn $25,994 one year out and $46,427 four years out, with $25,343 median debt and a 0.975 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade). 52 graduates per cohort. Many kinesiology students intend graduate school in PT, OT, or PA tracks, but the bachelor's-only outcomes here are weak. At this price point, students should pursue this degree at a Florida public if grad school is the destination.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 61.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 71.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 53.0% |
| Enrollment | 4,813 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,041 |
Southeastern admits 53% of applicants. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported in current Scorecard data, consistent with test-optional admissions and incomplete reporting. The 53% admission rate combined with a 42.6% completion rate suggests the school admits more students than it retains -- a pattern visible at many faith-affiliated regional privates. Prepared, motivated students do better than the headline rates suggest, but the institutional retention infrastructure is limited.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
SEU's peer set includes Baptist University of Florida, Barry University, Columbia College Missouri, Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico, and Anderson University SC. Within that mix Anderson University SC is the most useful comparator -- a similarly faith-affiliated southeastern regional private with a meaningfully better ROI score, driven by stronger nursing and business outcomes. Barry University posts somewhat better aggregate earnings via its larger health-professions presence. SEU lands at the bottom of this peer group on financial outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern University (this school) | 24 | $31,942 | $46,744 |
| Barry University | 42 | $22,613 | $55,966 |
| Baptist University of Florida | 31 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | 27 | $17,540 | $47,540 |
| Columbia College | 25 | $22,715 | $45,378 |
| Anderson University | 24 | $23,544 | $42,101 |
Who Thrives Here
SEU enrolls 4,813 students with a 21.5% Pell rate. The student body is predominantly drawn by the school's Pentecostal/Assemblies of God identity and ministry-preparation programs. The fit profile that the data supports: students genuinely called to ministry, missions, or church leadership who view the credential as vocational formation rather than economic upgrade, and students pursuing the school's nursing program. Anyone choosing SEU primarily for business, psychology, or general bachelor's outcomes should evaluate Florida's robust public-university system (USF, UCF, FIU) where in-state tuition produces dramatically better ROI for the same credentials.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Southeastern University. With a net cost of $31,942 per year and median graduate earnings of only $46,744 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 22.8 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 42.5% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,500 against $46,744 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.