Southwestern University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Southwestern University charges a net price of $29,224/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $116,896. Graduates earn a median $56,878 ten years after entry, $8,518/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 13.7 years — a 20-year net return of $53,464, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Southwestern University's 13.7-year payback ranks #923 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 28% of them, and #45 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $29,224/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $116,896 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $56,878 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,518/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 13.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $53,464 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Southwestern University's own numbers. Net price $29,224 × 4 years = $116,896 total. Median earnings $56,878 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,518 a year of premium. $116,896 ÷ $8,518 = 13.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $53,464. 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 Southwestern University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 44% of the $56,878 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Southwestern University students graduate?
73% finish their degree. Spread the $116,896 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $160,132 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Southwestern University expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $29,224 net price runs $9,865 above the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, or $39,460 more across the full degree.