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Midwestern State University vs Center for Advanced Legal Studies: which has better ROI?

Public, Wichita Falls TX · vs · Private for-profit, Houston TX

The verdict

Midwestern State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $46,624 in 6.3 years versus 6.8 years at Center for Advanced Legal Studies, on median earnings of $55,747 vs $56,561 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMidwestern State UniversityCenter for Advanced Legal Studies
Net price / yr$11,656$13,959
Total net cost$46,624$55,836
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,747$56,561
Median debt$21,030$9,500
Payback6.3 yrs6.8 yrs
20-year net return$101,116$108,184

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

Which is cheaper, Midwestern State University or Center for Advanced Legal Studies?

Midwestern State University, at $11,656 a year after aid versus $13,959 — a gap of $2,303 a year, or $9,212 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Midwestern State University or Center for Advanced Legal Studies graduates earn more?

Center for Advanced Legal Studies graduates report a median $56,561 ten years after entry, $814 more than the $55,747 at Midwestern State 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, Midwestern State University or Center for Advanced Legal Studies?

Center for Advanced Legal Studies: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $21,030 at Midwestern State University, a difference of $11,530. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

62% of students finish at Center for Advanced Legal Studies, against 43% at Midwestern State 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.

Midwestern State University vs Center for Advanced Legal Studies: frequently asked questions

Is Midwestern State University or Center for Advanced Legal Studies a better value?
Midwestern State University. It clears its $46,624 net cost in about 6.3 years versus 6.8 years at Center for Advanced Legal Studies, on median earnings of $55,747 vs $56,561 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Midwestern State University or Center for Advanced Legal Studies?
Midwestern State University: $11,656/yr net price after aid versus $13,959/yr at Center for Advanced Legal Studies — a difference of $2,303 a year, or about $9,212 over four years.
Do Midwestern State University or Center for Advanced Legal Studies graduates earn more?
Center for Advanced Legal Studies graduates earn a median $56,561 ten years after entry, versus $55,747 at Midwestern State University — a $814 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.