Nelson University vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Nelson University comes closer — median earnings $46,238 against a $86,648 total, vs $44,644 at Arlington Baptist University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Nelson University | Arlington Baptist University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,662 | $24,906 |
| Total net cost | $86,648 | $99,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,238 | $44,644 |
| Median debt | $24,725 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$129,088 | -$173,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Nelson University or Arlington Baptist University?
Nelson University, at $21,662 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $3,244 a year, or $12,976 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Nelson University or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Nelson University graduates report a median $46,238 ten years after entry, $1,594 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, Nelson University or Arlington Baptist University?
Nelson University: its completers carry a median $24,725 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $2,275. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at Nelson 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.