Tabor College
Hillsboro, Kansas · Private Nonprofit · 64.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 45/100 · Below Average Value
Tabor College scores 45 (Below Average Value) — a result shaped most sharply by a 33.7% completion rate, one of the lowest in this dataset. Nearly two-thirds of entering students do not earn a degree, which is a fundamental problem that no other metric fully compensates for. The institutional financials are otherwise mid-range: $36,200 listed tuition, $20,205 net price, $37,700 median 6-year earnings, and an 11.6-year payback period. The repayment rate of 75.8% is moderate — those who graduate manage debt reasonably, suggesting the completion problem is not driving default at the same rate it might otherwise. Tabor is a small Mennonite Brethren faith-affiliated college in Hillsboro, Kansas with 494 enrolled students. The Scorecard reports no program-level data, preventing program-specific analysis. Pell rate of 38% indicates a significant share of lower-income students who face the greatest risk from a 33.7% completion rate. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.634 is below poor but not catastrophic for completers. The core message for prospective students is that Tabor's low completion rate means the modal enrollment outcome is leaving without a degree and with debt — not earning credentials and entering the workforce.
The data raises concerns about Tabor College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate33.7% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Tabor College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $36,200/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $36,200/yr |
| Average net price | $20,205/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $80,820 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,058 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,887 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $253 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 33.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 494 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Tabor College is $36,200/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,205/year, or roughly $80,820 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,884/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,561/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,887 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $253 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $54,058 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.63 - 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 | $17,884 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,213 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,986 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,304 |
| $110,001+ | $24,561 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $17,884 net price per year — roughly $71,536 over four years. At $37,700 median 6-year earnings and a 33.7% completion rate, the financial risk for low-income students at Tabor is significant. A student in this income bracket who does not complete — which is the modal outcome — exits with approximately $24,000 in median debt and no degree. Low-income students have substantially better financial options at Kansas public universities like Kansas State, Wichita State, or Emporia State, all at lower net price and higher completion rates.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $16,986 per year — the lowest net price in the Scorecard data for this school. The 11.6-year payback period and 33.7% completion rate make this a financially marginal choice for middle-income families. Students who complete earn $37,700 at six years — below what Kansas state university graduates earn on average. The primary draw for middle-income families is faith alignment and campus culture, not financial outcome.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $24,561 per year — roughly $98,244 over four years. At this cost, the financial case for Tabor is weak regardless of income. High-income families who choose Tabor are doing so primarily for mission and community fit. The earnings outcomes ($37,700 median at 6 years) are below what most private college graduates earn, and the completion rate risk is real even for students with strong academic preparation.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 75.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 72.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 76.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 64.6% |
| Enrollment | 494 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,159 |
A 64.6% admission rate combined with a 33.7% completion rate is a serious mismatch — Tabor admits most who apply, but the majority of enrolled students do not complete. The Scorecard does not report test score data. Net price is compressed across income brackets: $16,986 to $24,561, with the lowest income bracket ($17,884) actually higher than the $48,001-75,000 bracket ($16,986) — an unusual pattern suggesting limited income-differentiated aid scaling. Lower-income students receive only modest additional support relative to higher-income peers.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Tabor's Scorecard peer group includes Baker University, Benedictine College, Pillar College, and Northwest University Online. Among small faith-affiliated Kansas colleges, Baker University is a more established peer. Benedictine College (Atchison, KS) has a higher profile among Catholic institutions. Tabor's 45 score is in the Below Average tier — better than Pillar College (47 score, 38.5% completion) but with a substantially worse completion rate. For faith-affiliated students in Kansas and the Central Plains, Tabor competes on community culture and institutional identity rather than financial outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tabor College (this school) | 45 | $20,205 | $54,058 |
| Baker University | 65 | $25,301 | $63,855 |
| Pillar College | 47 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| Benedictine College | 45 | $27,891 | $53,175 |
| Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education | 44 | $35,671 | $54,914 |
| Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion | 41 | $9,136 | $20,707 |
Who Thrives Here
Tabor admits 64.6% of applicants. The Scorecard reports no SAT or ACT test score data. At 494 students, Tabor is a very small faith-affiliated college serving primarily students with Mennonite Brethren or evangelical Protestant affiliation and interest in the rural Kansas campus community. The Pell rate of 38% reflects a mixed-income population with a meaningful lower-income segment. Students enrolling are primarily doing so for faith community, smaller class sizes, and the school's Christian liberal arts mission rather than for financial optimization.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Tabor College is mixed. At $20,205 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $54,058 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.6 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include a 33.7% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $23,887 against $54,058 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.