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East Texas A&M University vs Wayland Baptist University: which has better ROI?

Public, Commerce TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Plainview TX

The verdict

Wayland Baptist University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,360 in 23.7 years versus 24.5 years at East Texas A&M University, on median earnings of $51,838 vs $50,296 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEast Texas A&M UniversityWayland Baptist University
Net price / yr$11,841$20,590
Total net cost$47,364$82,360
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,296$51,838
Median debt$20,500$23,106
Payback24.5 yrs23.7 yrs
20-year net return-$8,644-$12,800

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

Which is cheaper, East Texas A&M University or Wayland Baptist University?

East Texas A&M University, at $11,841 a year after aid versus $20,590 — a gap of $8,749 a year, or $34,996 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do East Texas A&M University or Wayland Baptist University graduates earn more?

Wayland Baptist University graduates report a median $51,838 ten years after entry, $1,542 more than the $50,296 at East Texas A&M University. 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, East Texas A&M University or Wayland Baptist University?

East Texas A&M University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,106 at Wayland Baptist University, a difference of $2,606. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at East Texas A&M University, against 19% at Wayland 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.

East Texas A&M University vs Wayland Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is East Texas A&M University or Wayland Baptist University a better value?
Wayland Baptist University. It clears its $82,360 net cost in about 23.7 years versus 24.5 years at East Texas A&M University, on median earnings of $51,838 vs $50,296 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, East Texas A&M University or Wayland Baptist University?
East Texas A&M University: $11,841/yr net price after aid versus $20,590/yr at Wayland Baptist University — a difference of $8,749 a year, or about $34,996 over four years.
Do East Texas A&M University or Wayland Baptist University graduates earn more?
Wayland Baptist University graduates earn a median $51,838 ten years after entry, versus $50,296 at East Texas A&M University — a $1,542 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.