Nelson University (SAGU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Waxahachie, TX that costs an average of $26,425 a year after financial aid, admits 89% of applicants and graduates 37% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$26,425
Acceptance rate
89%
Graduation rate
37%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$46,684
Private nonprofitLarge suburb1,479 undergraduates
Cost of SAGU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $42,133 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $26,324 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $10,148 |
| Books and supplies | $1,474 |
| Average net price after aid | $26,425 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $23,966 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $24,300 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $25,157 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $27,228 |
| $110,001+ | $30,821 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with SAGU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 89% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 980 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 460–550 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 430–540 |
| Test scores | Required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 37% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 75% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $39,780 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $46,684 |
| Rank in Texas (earnings) | 78th of 93 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $23,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $267 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 56% |
| Students with federal loans | 61% |
Majors and programs at SAGU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (30)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 62 | $47,035 | $26,375 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 69 | $46,711 | $27,500 |
| Education | 29 | $43,232 | $25,125 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 105 | $32,680 | $25,375 |
| Human Services | 19 | $28,826 | $26,375 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 6 | — | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 27 | — | — |
| Classical and Ancient Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 9 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 2 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 15 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 3 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 9 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 10 | — | — |
| History | 3 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 7 | — | — |
| Marketing | 15 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 5 | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 9 | — | — |
| Music | 8 | — | — |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Psychology | 27 | — | $18,750 |
| Religious Music and Worship | 11 | — | — |
| Social Work | 15 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 15 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 12 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 1 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (17)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10 | $41,195 | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 115 | $40,078 | $23,250 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 72 | $34,733 | $21,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Education | 1 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 3 | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 3 | — | — |
| Human Services | 6 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 1 | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 4 | — | — |
| Music | 5 | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 5 | — | — |
| Psychology | 5 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 5 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (16)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 37 | $54,747 | $44,779 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 47 | $51,260 | — |
| Education | 8 | $45,828 | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 11 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 31 | — | $65,008 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 2 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 5 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 5 | — | — |
| History | 7 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 3 | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | — | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 7 | — | — |
| Psychology | 4 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 4 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 4 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Texas
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeTourneau University | Longview | $26,985 | 38% | $61,644 |
| Southwestern University | Georgetown | $29,435 | 43% | $63,314 |
| University of Dallas | Irving | $68,064 | 53% | $64,930 |
| East Texas Baptist University | Marshall | $23,414 | 58% | $51,124 |
| Texas Lutheran University | Seguin | $20,716 | 96% | $59,747 |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene | $19,731 | 90% | $56,313 |
| Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth | $16,168 | 69% | $56,582 |
| Lubbock Christian University | Lubbock | $26,595 | 73% | $54,710 |
About SAGU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Waxahachie, TX |
| Setting | Large suburb |
| Undergraduates | 1,479 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 15 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | nelson.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is SAGU's acceptance rate?
Nelson University admits 89% of applicants. Admitted students average 980 on the SAT.
How much does SAGU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $42,133 a year (tuition and fees: $26,324). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $26,425 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $23,966.
How much do SAGU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $46,684 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 78th of 93 similar colleges in Texas. The best-paid bachelor's program is business administration, management and operations ($47,035 a year after graduation).
What is SAGU's graduation rate?
37% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 75% of first-year students return for a second year.