Degree Dividend
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Angelina College vs Howard Payne University: which has better ROI?

Public, Lufkin TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Brownwood TX

The verdict

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 Angelina College, on median earnings of $48,376 vs $37,301 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAngelina CollegeHoward Payne University
Net price / yr$7,773$23,627
Total net cost$31,092$94,508
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,301$48,376
Median debt$26,793
Payback5906.8 yrs
20-year net return-$252,272-$94,188

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Angelina College or Howard Payne University?

Angelina College, at $7,773 a year after aid versus $23,627 — a gap of $15,854 a year, or $63,416 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Angelina College or Howard Payne University graduates earn more?

Howard Payne University graduates report a median $48,376 ten years after entry, $11,075 more than the $37,301 at Angelina 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 graduates more of its students?

29% of students finish at Angelina 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.

Angelina College vs Howard Payne University: frequently asked questions

Is Angelina College or Howard Payne University a better value?
Howard Payne University. It clears its $94,508 net cost in about 5906.8 years versus no clear payback at Angelina College, on median earnings of $48,376 vs $37,301 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Angelina College or Howard Payne University?
Angelina College: $7,773/yr net price after aid versus $23,627/yr at Howard Payne University — a difference of $15,854 a year, or about $63,416 over four years.
Do Angelina College or Howard Payne University graduates earn more?
Howard Payne University graduates earn a median $48,376 ten years after entry, versus $37,301 at Angelina College — a $11,075 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.