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Texas A&M University-Kingsville vs Southwestern University: which has better ROI?

Public, Kingsville TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Georgetown TX

The verdict

Southwestern University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,896 in 13.7 years versus 15.7 years at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, on median earnings of $56,878 vs $51,450 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTexas A&M University-KingsvilleSouthwestern University
Net price / yr$12,090$29,224
Total net cost$48,360$116,896
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,450$56,878
Median debt$22,934$25,000
Payback15.7 yrs13.7 yrs
20-year net return$13,440$53,464

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

Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-Kingsville or Southwestern University?

Texas A&M University-Kingsville, at $12,090 a year after aid versus $29,224 — a gap of $17,134 a year, or $68,536 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Texas A&M University-Kingsville or Southwestern University graduates earn more?

Southwestern University graduates report a median $56,878 ten years after entry, $5,428 more than the $51,450 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. 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, Texas A&M University-Kingsville or Southwestern University?

Texas A&M University-Kingsville: its completers carry a median $22,934 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Southwestern University, a difference of $2,066. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

73% of students finish at Southwestern University, against 42% at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. 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.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville vs Southwestern University: frequently asked questions

Is Texas A&M University-Kingsville or Southwestern University a better value?
Southwestern University. It clears its $116,896 net cost in about 13.7 years versus 15.7 years at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, on median earnings of $56,878 vs $51,450 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-Kingsville or Southwestern University?
Texas A&M University-Kingsville: $12,090/yr net price after aid versus $29,224/yr at Southwestern University — a difference of $17,134 a year, or about $68,536 over four years.
Do Texas A&M University-Kingsville or Southwestern University graduates earn more?
Southwestern University graduates earn a median $56,878 ten years after entry, versus $51,450 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville — a $5,428 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.