Howard Payne University vs Arlington Career Institute: 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 Career Institute, on median earnings of $48,376 vs $36,674 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Howard Payne University | Arlington Career Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,627 | $24,633 |
| Total net cost | $94,508 | $98,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,376 | $36,674 |
| Median debt | $26,793 | $8,347 |
| Payback | 5906.8 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$94,188 | -$332,252 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Howard Payne University or Arlington Career Institute?
Howard Payne University, at $23,627 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $1,006 a year, or $4,024 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 Career Institute graduates earn more?
Howard Payne University graduates report a median $48,376 ten years after entry, $11,702 more than the $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. 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 Career Institute?
Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $26,793 at Howard Payne University, a difference of $18,446. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Arlington Career Institute, against 28% at Howard Payne 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.