Howard Payne University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Howard Payne University charges a net price of $23,627/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $94,508. Graduates earn a median $48,376 ten years after entry, $16/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5906.8 years — a 20-year net return of -$94,188, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Howard Payne University's 5906.8-year payback ranks #1,279 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 1% of them, and #71 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,627/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $94,508 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,376 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $16/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,793 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5906.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$94,188 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Howard Payne University's own numbers. Net price $23,627 × 4 years = $94,508 total. Median earnings $48,376 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $16 a year of premium. $94,508 ÷ $16 = 5906.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$94,188. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Howard Payne University students graduate with?
A median $26,793 in federal loans among completers, or 55% of the $48,376 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Howard Payne University students graduate?
28% finish their degree — 72% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $94,508 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $337,529 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Howard Payne University expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $23,627 net price runs $4,268 above the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, or $17,072 more across the full degree.