Admit rate has ranged 53%–76% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
John Brown University (JBU) is a private Christian university in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, known for blending rigorous academics with a tight-knit, faith-centered community. With a 76% acceptance rate and strong programs in business, nursing, and engineering, JBU offers a practical, hands-on education grounded in Christian values. Its 68% graduation rate and emphasis on student outcomes make it a standout in Arkansas.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,471
In-state tuition
$31,756
Out-of-state tuition
$31,756
Location
Siloam Springs, AR
Acceptance Rate
76%
Graduation Rate
68%
On-Campus Housing
69% of students
Undergraduate Majors
50+
Student-Faculty Ratio
16:1
Average Early-Career Salary
$41,767–$45,000
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,907
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.6×
Median debt at graduation
$21,250
Graduation rate
72%
First-year retention
81%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
75%
Pell (lower-income) share
56%
First-generation share
29%
Endowment / student
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Engineering, General$65,573
Construction Management$65,517
Business Administration, Management and Operations$55,813
Marketing$42,682
Business/Commerce, General$42,402
Design and Applied Arts$37,748
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.68
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
83
Summer high
89°F
Winter low
32°F
Annual rain
53.2"
Annual snow
7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
431
Scholarly works
48,164
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.1%
Bottom → top quintile
25%
From bottom quintile
8%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at John Brown University?
John Brown University's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (Siloam Springs, AR), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for John Brown University?
Admitted students at John Brown University typically score 1070–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does John Brown University cost?
At John Brown University, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,397 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend John Brown University?
John Brown University enrolls approximately 1,471 undergraduate students.
Where is John Brown University located?
John Brown University is located in Siloam Springs, AR.
Admissions
John Brown University is moderately selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 76.1% (1,254 admitted out of 1,647 applicants). Admitted students typically have an ACT score between 21–30 or an SAT score of 1020–1390. The university offers assured admission to students with a high school GPA of 2.5–2.99 paired with a 20 ACT, 1020 SAT, or 63 CLT score. While test scores are considered, JBU emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., including academic preparation and personal fit with its Christian mission.
JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with standout programs in . The university emphasizes hands-on learning and integrates Christian faith into its curriculum. The , fostering close mentorship. Popular majors include Business Administration, Psychology, and Visual & Performing Arts, reflecting JBU’s blend of practical career preparation and liberal arts foundations.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
$37,208
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$33,993
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at JBU revolves around a close-knit, faith-driven community, with 69% of students living on campus. The Student Events and Activities (SEA) board organizes events to foster camaraderie, from concerts to service projects. Athletics and outdoor recreation are popular, thanks to Arkansas’s scenic surroundings. The university’s YouTube tours showcase a vibrant campus with modern facilities, chapel services, and a strong emphasis on mentorship and spiritual growth.
JBU boasts a 68% graduation rate—above the national average for 4-year colleges—with 98% of graduates employed, in grad school, or serving in the military/volunteering within six months. Early-career alumni earn $41,767–$45,000 on average. The Wall Street Journal ranked JBU #1 in Arkansas for outcomes, weighing factors like graduation rates and post-grad salaries. Notably, 73% of graduates earn more than a high school diploma holder.
JBU’s average net price after aid is $21,464, with 99% of students receiving financial aid (average package: $23,173). Aid includes institutional grants ($20,000+ on average), federal/state grants, and scholarships. The university’s Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps families estimate costs, and tuition increases have historically been modest. For context, the midpoint annual cost for 4-year colleges nationally is $20,077, making JBU competitively priced for a private institution.
JBU distinguishes itself through its uncommon balance of career-focused academics and deep Christian integration. Unlike many faith-based schools, it pairs strong STEM programs (engineering, nursing) with arts and humanities, all while maintaining a 68% graduation rate that outperforms peers. The Wall Street Journal’s #1-in-Arkansas ranking underscores its ROI, and the tight-knit campus culture—where 7 in 10 students live on campus—creates a uniquely supportive environment. For students seeking a practical, values-driven education without sacrificing rigor, JBU delivers.
John Brown University logo · sourceVisitor Information · sourceVisitor Information · sourceJohn Brown University - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help · source
