Degree Dividend
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Baylor University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Waco, TX · 14,785 students

The verdict

Baylor University charges a net price of $41,104/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $164,416. Graduates earn a median $65,793 ten years after entry, $17,433/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.4 years — a 20-year net return of $184,244, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

$41,104
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$65,793
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
9.4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
51%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Baylor University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$41,104/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$164,416our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$65,793Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$17,433/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback9.4 yrsour math
20-year net return$184,244our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.