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Arlington Baptist University vs Wade College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Arlington TX · vs · Private for-profit, Dallas TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Baptist University comes closer — median earnings $44,644 against a $99,624 total, vs $36,657 at Wade College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArlington Baptist UniversityWade College
Net price / yr$24,906$20,778
Total net cost$99,624$41,556
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,644$36,657
Median debt$27,000$22,938
Payback
20-year net return-$173,944-$275,616

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

Which is cheaper, Arlington Baptist University or Wade College?

Wade College, at $20,778 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $4,128 a year, or $58,068 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Arlington Baptist University or Wade College graduates earn more?

Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $7,987 more than the $36,657 at Wade 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, Arlington Baptist University or Wade College?

Wade College: its completers carry a median $22,938 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $4,062. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Wade College, against 19% at Arlington 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.

Arlington Baptist University vs Wade College: frequently asked questions

Is Arlington Baptist University or Wade College a better value?
Arlington Baptist 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, Arlington Baptist University or Wade College?
Wade College: $20,778/yr net price after aid versus $24,906/yr at Arlington Baptist University — a difference of $4,128 a year, or about $58,068 over four years.
Do Arlington Baptist University or Wade College graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates earn a median $44,644 ten years after entry, versus $36,657 at Wade College — a $7,987 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.