Amarillo College vs Howard Payne University: which has better ROI?
Howard Payne University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $94,508 in 5906.8 years versus not at all at Amarillo College, on median earnings of $48,376 vs $41,302 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Amarillo College | Howard Payne University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,600 | $23,627 |
| Total net cost | $9,200 | $94,508 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,302 | $48,376 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $26,793 |
| Payback | — | 5906.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$150,360 | -$94,188 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or Howard Payne University?
Amarillo College, at $4,600 a year after aid versus $23,627 — a gap of $19,027 a year, or $85,308 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Amarillo College or Howard Payne University graduates earn more?
Howard Payne University graduates report a median $48,376 ten years after entry, $7,074 more than the $41,302 at Amarillo College. 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, Amarillo College or Howard Payne University?
Amarillo College: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $26,793 at Howard Payne University, a difference of $11,793. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
32% of students finish at Amarillo College, against 28% at Howard Payne 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.