Howard Payne University vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?
Howard Payne University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $94,508 in 5906.8 years versus not at all at Arlington Baptist University, on median earnings of $48,376 vs $44,644 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Howard Payne University | Arlington Baptist University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,627 | $24,906 |
| Total net cost | $94,508 | $99,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,376 | $44,644 |
| Median debt | $26,793 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 5906.8 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$94,188 | -$173,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Howard Payne University or Arlington Baptist University?
Howard Payne University, at $23,627 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $1,279 a year, or $5,116 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Howard Payne University or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Howard Payne University graduates report a median $48,376 ten years after entry, $3,732 more than the $44,644 at Arlington Baptist 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, Howard Payne University or Arlington Baptist University?
Howard Payne University: its completers carry a median $26,793 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $207. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
28% of students finish at Howard Payne University, 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.