Abilene Christian University vs Dallas Baptist University: which has better ROI?
Dallas Baptist University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,064 in 13.5 years versus 14.2 years at Abilene Christian University, on median earnings of $56,807 vs $55,736 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Abilene Christian University | Dallas Baptist University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,182 | $28,516 |
| Total net cost | $104,728 | $114,064 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,736 | $56,807 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $21,591 |
| Payback | 14.2 yrs | 13.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $42,792 | $54,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Abilene Christian University or Dallas Baptist University?
Abilene Christian University, at $26,182 a year after aid versus $28,516 — a gap of $2,334 a year, or $9,336 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Abilene Christian University or Dallas Baptist University graduates earn more?
Dallas Baptist University graduates report a median $56,807 ten years after entry, $1,071 more than the $55,736 at Abilene Christian University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Abilene Christian University or Dallas Baptist University?
Dallas Baptist University: its completers carry a median $21,591 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Abilene Christian University, a difference of $2,659. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
59% of students finish at Abilene Christian University, against 57% at Dallas Baptist University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.