For financial aid resources, scholarship information, and helpful links to both, see page 3!
Candy Espinoza didn鈥檛 know how she would go to college; she just knew that she would.聽 Her father had done well with his construction company, and she admired her homemaker mother. Yet, Espinoza鈥檚 dreams meant she needed more than a high school diploma.
But as she neared high school graduation, Espinoza realized she was entering an unfamiliar realm. Although she had the support of her family, they couldn鈥檛 guide her with the next step.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know how I was going to apply for college,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how I was supposed to apply for scholarships or how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It was a whole new world.鈥�
Espinoza and her family learned new information and terminologies as they waded through the college application process. As the eldest of four children, Espinoza was inspired to pave the way for her younger siblings.
“I was motivated to be able to have a better job than what a high school diploma would get me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always had a vision of becoming a businesswoman. I wanted to get a degree and do something that I love.鈥�
Espinoza and her father toured several Texas colleges. The straight-A student had aimed for The University of Texas since middle school, but had a change of heart.
鈥淔rom the first time my father and I visited HBU, I felt an incredible peace there,鈥� Espinoza said. 鈥淢y dad was really happy with the type of students we saw. We had toured UT Austin, Texas A&M and U of H. You can truly see the difference at HBU. You can perceive that spiritual sense and peacefulness. It wasn鈥檛 so liberal; it was a little more conservative. I fell in love with the campus too; I thought it was so beautiful.鈥�
Even though Houston Baptist University became Espinoza鈥檚 first choice, she wondered if the private school鈥檚 tuition would be out of reach.
鈥淚 was concerned that I wouldn鈥檛 be able to attend HBU,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat really opened the door for me was that I received a merit-based scholarship.鈥�
Initially, Espinoza received the President鈥檚 Scholarship, which took into account her high school GPA, high school rank and college entrance exams. After retaking the SAT and earning a slightly higher score, Espinoza was bumped up to receive the Founder鈥檚 Scholarship, HBU鈥檚 most prestigious award, for $21,000 per year over the course of four years.
Espinoza said, 鈥淚 love that I get to interact with professors and have classrooms that are a lot smaller than other places.鈥�
She advises future students: 鈥淒ream big. Even if you don鈥檛 think you鈥檒l get in, go ahead and apply. God will show you the way He wants you to go.鈥�
The Net Price and Payoff
Stories like Espinoza鈥檚 are commonplace at HBU. In fact, about 95 percent of HBU students receive merit or need-based financial aid, or a combination of both, James Steen, HBU vice president for Enrollment Management, said.
鈥淲e have a fairly healthy discount rate,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something we try very aggressively to maintain. We help students qualify for financial aid, including academic scholarships, institutional grants, federal aid and state aid that will enable them to attend.鈥�
The 2017-2018 tuition and fees price tag is $31,730. But the 鈥渟ticker price鈥� is very different from the average net cost. If housing and meal expenses are included, along with books and supplies, the average net price for students is closer to $20,000 per year (1).
鈥淭he reality is that we really want to encourage parents and students to focus on the net price,鈥� Steen said. 鈥淭hat is the average price after merit and need-based aid is applied. We are one of the more affordable options from a net-price perspective, even compared to state institutions.鈥�
Data from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that HBU鈥檚 net cost is several thousand dollars lower than counterparts like Dallas Baptist University, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, Abilene Christian University and others (2).
When families are thinking of college costs, they are especially concerned with the payoff in the years after graduation. According to statistics from the Social Security Administration, graduates with bachelor鈥檚 degrees earn between $600,000 and a million dollars more in average lifetime earnings than high school graduates (3). The earnings for those with graduate degrees only increases.
While some with only high school diplomas are able to find a career niche in which they make a healthy living, average salaries for high school graduates are less desirable, and things like employee benefits, company retirement plans and regular work schedules are less possible. Additionally, increased automation makes human judgment an even more valuable commodity, asserts the Harvard Business Review (4).
鈥淗igher education is an investment that students make into their futures,鈥� Steen said. 鈥淭he investments you make in education, and especially in a bachelor鈥檚 degree, have the ability to pay off exponentially.鈥�
Even with all of the benefits of a college degree, paying for higher education can be a hindrance. According to Kiplinger鈥檚 Personal Finance Magazine, about 60 percent of parents save for their children鈥檚 education. But among parents who set aside funds, only about 37 percent of those take advantage of 529 plans 鈥� college-savings plans that make the money go further by allowing it to grow tax-sheltered (5).
any students have found ways to avoid or minimize student loans. Outside of traditional financial aid, an often-overlooked source of financial aid is private scholarships available from organizations, foundations, clubs and companies.
For those who are 鈥渏uggling college and career simultaneously,鈥� USA Today notes that a number of top companies are giving tuition benefits for employees (6). Some organizations have even begun offering repayment assistance for past student loans in what Forbes Magazine has termed 鈥淭he Hottest Employee Benefit of 2017鈥� (7).
Espinoza set herself up for minimizing costs years before college began by being a standout student academically and extracurricularly. She took preparation courses for the SAT, and re-took the test several times until she reached her desired score.
Students like Gunter Clements, a business major, took a job as a basketball manager at HBU. The job supplements the two scholarships and grant he received. Other opportunities for work-study positions abound, Steen said.
Nursing major Daniel Dipasupil saves by commuting from his home south of the University. He enjoys the benefits of what college life has to offer, while continuing to be close to activities he is accustomed to, including playing the electric guitar for his church.
References in This Section
- 鈥淐ollege Cost Guides and Price Rankings.鈥� U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Online CollegeCalc: Houston Baptist University.
- 鈥淐ollege Cost Guides and Price Rankings.鈥� U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Online CollegeCalc: Texas Colleges.
- 鈥淓ducation and Lifetime Earnings.鈥� Social Security Administration鈥檚 Online Office of Retirement Policy.
- Agrawal, Ajay, Gans, Joshua and Goldfarb, Avi. 鈥淭he Simple Economics of Machine Intelligence.鈥� Harvard Business Review. November 2016.
- Huang, Nellie S. 鈥淭he Best College Savings Plans, 2017.鈥� Kiplinger鈥檚 Personal Finance Magazine. September 2017.
- Stone, Brianna. 鈥�15 Companies That Help Employees Pay for College.鈥� USA Today. April 2017.
- Friedman, Zack. 鈥淪tudent Loan Repayment: The Hottest Employee Benefit of 2017.鈥� Forbes Magazine. December 2016.
Investing in Students
One of the draws of a Houston-based university for Dipasupil was the ability to work and train in the Texas Medical Center, the largest healthcare hub in the world. Likewise, students majoring in other disciplines have access to the many business and arts resources of the bustling Bayou City.
鈥淭he only college that I really wanted to go to was HBU,鈥� Dipasupil said. 鈥淚t was my first choice. It鈥檚 an investment, but it鈥檚 the quality of education at HBU that is important.鈥�
Thankfully, students and families aren鈥檛 the only ones making an important investment of time and resources. Classes at HBU average about 25 students. Faculty and staff members are known for being engaging and accessible.
David Hao, dean of the Department of Student Success & Advising, said the University values creating relationships with students through initiatives like the Academic Success Center, TRIO Student Success Program and the First-Year Success Program.
On a daily basis, students pour into the first floor of the Moody Library. There, they receive tutoring and academic advising, as well as access a slew of resources to help them succeed in each area of college life and career preparation.
鈥淒ue to partnerships and working together internally, we can reach students in a more personal and innovative way,鈥� Margaret Humphreys, director of the Academic Success Center said. 鈥淪ome places may have one layer of support, but here we have multiple layers, including faculty, and staff members like advisors and success coaches. Students are reached holistically.鈥�
Whether students need tutoring for one of 90 different courses, want to find out what organizations are available on campus, or just need to work through challenges, they aren鈥檛 left to navigate the next steps alone.
鈥淲e really have students at the center of everything we do,鈥� Hao said.
For students like Garima Malhotra, on a pre-med track, the ability to have a well-rounded college experience made HBU attractive. The dancer, pianist, community volunteer and second-degree black belt in Taekwondo was looking for more than just an academically rich environment. She also wanted to be part of a thriving community.
鈥淚鈥檓 a recipient of the Founder鈥檚 Scholarship,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he scholarship encouraged me to explore HBU more by meeting with professors, taking campus tours and attending a variety of events. In my opinion, education is not only something that trains, qualifies and prepares you for working and making a living, but it also enhances your personality. Education gives you a platform on which you can develop your skills and competencies to excel, not only professionally, but also personally.鈥�
HBU President Dr. Robert Sloan said connections with peers, faculty and organizations are primary considerations in school selection.
鈥淐hoosing a university includes qualitative things,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 sort of like a covenantal relationship: who will be my friends and my family? The personal networks and associations are important in providing fulfillment, ongoing development and opportunities.鈥�
To learn more about HBU’s programs for student success, visit: HC.edu/student-success
Why Choose a School Like HBU
An often-underplayed consideration of college and university selection is the importance of the atmosphere and its espoused worldviews, Steen said. Christian students who attend secular colleges have many additional challenges to add to the normal tasks of adjusting to college life and excelling in coursework.
鈥淚 think sometimes parents value the Christian environment of HBU even more than the students do. We know that a lot of students who come from Christian backgrounds and call themselves Christian, after four years in a secular institution, sometimes have a lesser commitment to their faith,鈥� Steen said. 鈥淚t really is the whole experience that we value and excel in. We desire for students to not only grow and be challenged academically, but also spiritually, intellectually, socially and even physically. The spiritual component is one we take very seriously, and we hope that all of our students are much more rooted and grounded in their faith when they leave.鈥�
Sloan said it shouldn鈥檛 be assumed that belief systems are simply absent from secular universities, or that they present neutral viewpoints about the world.
鈥淓very university should commit to providing a quality education; none should commit to brainwashing, which happens at many secular institutions,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he values and belief systems that are communicated ought to be one of the primary considerations for students. Not all institutions and professors and curriculums are the same.鈥�
Emma Perry chose HBU largely for the environment.
鈥淚 was offered a very generous scholarship, and that definitely was a factor,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut even if I hadn鈥檛 received it, I think HBU would still have been a good option.鈥�
Perry had the chance to visit classes and talk with several professors before she made her decision to come to HBU.
鈥淚 could鈥檝e studied ancient languages somewhere else, but wanted to come to a university that taught and studied it from a biblical worldview, because I want to teach from that view in the future as well,鈥� she said.
Espinoza said she liked the chance to learn more about God and the Bible.
鈥淚t takes some stress away knowing it鈥檚 not only all about math, science, English and history, but I also get to take classes to learn more about what I love,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 love Jesus.鈥�
Students are able to attend convocation, or chapel, once per week. All students are required to take at least six hours of Christianity courses.
Steen notes that some students do not embrace the Christian faith, but are warmly accepted into the HBU community. Faculty and staff members are believers from varying Christian denominations and backgrounds.
鈥淣ot only are we in a major city, but I think it鈥檚 unique that we have the diversity we have as a comprehensive university serving Houston, Texas and beyond,鈥� Steen said. 鈥淲e make sure that students get a solid degree that allows them to go to the next level 鈥� a profession or graduate school. Students who are graduating are definitely being successful, contributing to society, becoming influencers, making a difference and growing in their faith.鈥�
Perry keeps the larger purpose of her college experience in mind.
鈥淚 think beyond just seeing education as merely a way to get a job and make money in the world, I see education as preparing for the vocation that God has given us鈥� whether that be a teacher, nurse, engineer or doctor,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 believe that God has planned out our vocations through eternity past, and He has planned our way to carry that out. I see education as investing in the future by giving us the ability to live out God鈥檚 call on our lives.鈥�
Sloan said investing in a degree at HBU simply adds up.
鈥淭he kind of education, the networks and family you鈥檙e joining and the financial support all go together to make a private school education worthwhile,鈥� he said. 鈥淎n HBU education is very attainable and more doable than many may realize. Families should make an honest comparison and consider all of those things.鈥�
Learn more by visiting HC.edu/Admissions.
2017-2018 Cost At-A-Glance
To apply, go to: 贬颁.别诲耻/础辫辫濒测听
You may reach the Admissions Office at 281-649-3211
HBU Residential
- Residential Tuition & Fees for 12 to 18 credit hours per semester: $31,730
- Room & Board: $8,242
- A bachelor’s degree is 125 credit hours, or around 40 college courses. Study tracks include the core curriculum of the student’s major, basic and elective courses, and at least six hours of Christianity courses.
- for Freshmen
- for Transfer Students
- View a list of HBU Scholarships at HC.edu/UGScholarships
- Learn more about Financial Aid at Houston Baptist University: HC.edu/CostToAttend
- Graduate Residential Tuition & Fees vary by program
- Learn more about the Graduate Residential Programs at HC.edu/Grad
HBU Online
- Undergraduate Tuition: $395 per credit hour and $250 per semester online student fee
- RN to BSN Online Program $440 per credit hour and $100 per semester online student fee
- Graduate Tuition: $550 per credit hour and $250 per semester online student fee
- Learn more about the Pinky Pampell Online Division: online.HC.edu