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

Public, Midland TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Midland College comes closer — median earnings $43,958 against a $18,048 total, vs $44,644 at Arlington Baptist University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMidland CollegeArlington Baptist University
Net price / yr$4,512$24,906
Total net cost$18,048$99,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,958$44,644
Median debt$10,670$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$106,088-$173,944

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

Which is cheaper, Midland College or Arlington Baptist University?

Midland College, at $4,512 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $20,394 a year, or $81,576 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Midland College or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?

Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $686 more than the $43,958 at Midland 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, Midland College or Arlington Baptist University?

Midland College: its completers carry a median $10,670 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $16,330. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

23% of students finish at Midland 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.

Midland College vs Arlington Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is Midland College or Arlington Baptist University a better value?
Midland College 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, Midland College or Arlington Baptist University?
Midland College: $4,512/yr net price after aid versus $24,906/yr at Arlington Baptist University — a difference of $20,394 a year, or about $81,576 over four years.
Do Midland College or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates earn a median $44,644 ten years after entry, versus $43,958 at Midland College — a $686 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.