Tarrant County College District vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Tarrant County College District comes closer — median earnings $42,727 against a $8,674 total, vs $44,644 at Arlington Baptist University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Tarrant County College District | Arlington Baptist University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,337 | $24,906 |
| Total net cost | $8,674 | $99,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,727 | $44,644 |
| Median debt | $9,104 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$121,334 | -$173,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Tarrant County College District or Arlington Baptist University?
Tarrant County College District, at $4,337 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $20,569 a year, or $90,950 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Tarrant County College District or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $1,917 more than the $42,727 at Tarrant County College District. 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, Tarrant County College District or Arlington Baptist University?
Tarrant County College District: its completers carry a median $9,104 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $17,896. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Tarrant County College District, 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.