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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Nelson University comes closer — median earnings $46,238 against a $86,648 total, vs $37,301 at Angelina College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAngelina CollegeNelson University
Net price / yr$7,773$21,662
Total net cost$31,092$86,648
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,301$46,238
Median debt$24,725
Payback
20-year net return-$252,272-$129,088

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

Which is cheaper, Angelina College or Nelson University?

Angelina College, at $7,773 a year after aid versus $21,662 — a gap of $13,889 a year, or $55,556 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 Nelson University graduates earn more?

Nelson University graduates report a median $46,238 ten years after entry, $8,937 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?

42% of students finish at Nelson University, against 29% at Angelina College. 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 Nelson University: frequently asked questions

Is Angelina College or Nelson University a better value?
Nelson University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Angelina College or Nelson University?
Angelina College: $7,773/yr net price after aid versus $21,662/yr at Nelson University — a difference of $13,889 a year, or about $55,556 over four years.
Do Angelina College or Nelson University graduates earn more?
Nelson University graduates earn a median $46,238 ten years after entry, versus $37,301 at Angelina College — a $8,937 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.