Abilene Christian University vs University of Mary Hardin-Baylor: which has better ROI?
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $104,424 in 13.4 years versus 14.2 years at Abilene Christian University, on median earnings of $56,132 vs $55,736 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Abilene Christian University | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,182 | $26,106 |
| Total net cost | $104,728 | $104,424 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,736 | $56,132 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 14.2 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $42,792 | $51,016 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Abilene Christian University or University of Mary Hardin-Baylor?
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, at $26,106 a year after aid versus $26,182 — a gap of $76 a year, or $304 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 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor graduates earn more?
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor graduates report a median $56,132 ten years after entry, $396 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 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor?
Abilene Christian University: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $26,000 at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a difference of $1,750. 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 49% at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. 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.