Texas Lutheran University vs Southwestern Adventist University: which has better ROI?
Texas Lutheran University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,616 in 17.9 years versus 19.9 years at Southwestern Adventist University, on median earnings of $53,863 vs $52,946 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Texas Lutheran University | Southwestern Adventist University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,654 | $22,778 |
| Total net cost | $98,616 | $91,112 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,863 | $52,946 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,998 |
| Payback | 17.9 yrs | 19.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $11,444 | $608 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Texas Lutheran University or Southwestern Adventist University?
Southwestern Adventist University, at $22,778 a year after aid versus $24,654 — a gap of $1,876 a year, or $7,504 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 Lutheran University or Southwestern Adventist University graduates earn more?
Texas Lutheran University graduates report a median $53,863 ten years after entry, $917 more than the $52,946 at Southwestern Adventist 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, Texas Lutheran University or Southwestern Adventist University?
Texas Lutheran University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,998 at Southwestern Adventist University, a difference of $1,998. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Texas Lutheran University, against 52% at Southwestern Adventist 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.