Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Baylor University vs University of Dallas: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Waco TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Irving TX

The verdict

University of Dallas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,440 in 9.1 years versus 9.4 years at Baylor University, on median earnings of $58,285 vs $65,793 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureBaylor UniversityUniversity of Dallas
Net price / yr$41,104$22,610
Total net cost$164,416$90,440
Median earnings, 10 yrs$65,793$58,285
Median debt$23,000$23,117
Payback9.4 yrs9.1 yrs
20-year net return$184,244$108,060

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

Which is cheaper, Baylor University or University of Dallas?

University of Dallas, at $22,610 a year after aid versus $41,104 — a gap of $18,494 a year, or $73,976 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Baylor University or University of Dallas graduates earn more?

Baylor University graduates report a median $65,793 ten years after entry, $7,508 more than the $58,285 at University of Dallas. 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, Baylor University or University of Dallas?

Baylor University: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $23,117 at University of Dallas, a difference of $117. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at Baylor University, against 73% at University of Dallas. 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.

Baylor University vs University of Dallas: frequently asked questions

Is Baylor University or University of Dallas a better value?
University of Dallas. It clears its $90,440 net cost in about 9.1 years versus 9.4 years at Baylor University, on median earnings of $58,285 vs $65,793 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Baylor University or University of Dallas?
University of Dallas: $22,610/yr net price after aid versus $41,104/yr at Baylor University — a difference of $18,494 a year, or about $73,976 over four years.
Do Baylor University or University of Dallas graduates earn more?
Baylor University graduates earn a median $65,793 ten years after entry, versus $58,285 at University of Dallas — a $7,508 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.