Richard J. Melson, Ph.D., President | Southwest Baptist University
Richard J. Melson, Ph.D., President | Southwest Baptist University
Data shows that students paid $26,877 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $1,137 more than the previous school year.
Among the two institutions in the county, Southwest Baptist University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $27,038. Bolivar Technical College followed with an average of $24,610 per year.
At the time, at least $4.7 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Polk County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $1.2 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Baptist University | 255 | $4,675,094 | $18,334 | 138 | $1,214,684 | $8,802 |
| Bolivar Technical College | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
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