Degree Dividend
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Galveston College vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?

Public, Galveston TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Arlington 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 $37,233 at Galveston College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGalveston CollegeArlington Baptist University
Net price / yr$8,412$24,906
Total net cost$33,648$99,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,233$44,644
Median debt$10,311$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$256,188-$173,944

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

Which is cheaper, Galveston College or Arlington Baptist University?

Galveston College, at $8,412 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $16,494 a year, or $65,976 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Galveston College or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?

Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $7,411 more than the $37,233 at Galveston 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, Galveston College or Arlington Baptist University?

Galveston College: its completers carry a median $10,311 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $16,689. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

33% of students finish at Galveston 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.

Galveston College vs Arlington Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is Galveston College or Arlington Baptist University 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, Galveston College or Arlington Baptist University?
Galveston College: $8,412/yr net price after aid versus $24,906/yr at Arlington Baptist University — a difference of $16,494 a year, or about $65,976 over four years.
Do Galveston College or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates earn a median $44,644 ten years after entry, versus $37,233 at Galveston College — a $7,411 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.