Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth vs Southwestern Adventist University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Irving TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Keene TX

The verdict

Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $52,530 in 18.4 years versus 19.9 years at Southwestern Adventist University, on median earnings of $51,222 vs $52,946 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort WorthSouthwestern Adventist University
Net price / yr$26,265$22,778
Total net cost$52,530$91,112
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,222$52,946
Median debt$14,267$26,998
Payback18.4 yrs19.9 yrs
20-year net return$4,710$608

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

Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth or Southwestern Adventist University?

Southwestern Adventist University, at $22,778 a year after aid versus $26,265 — a gap of $3,487 a year, or $38,582 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth or Southwestern Adventist University graduates earn more?

Southwestern Adventist University graduates report a median $52,946 ten years after entry, $1,724 more than the $51,222 at Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth. 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, Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth or Southwestern Adventist University?

Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth: its completers carry a median $14,267 in federal loans versus $26,998 at Southwestern Adventist University, a difference of $12,731. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth, 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.

Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth vs Southwestern Adventist University: frequently asked questions

Is Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth or Southwestern Adventist University a better value?
Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth. It clears its $52,530 net cost in about 18.4 years versus 19.9 years at Southwestern Adventist University, on median earnings of $51,222 vs $52,946 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth or Southwestern Adventist University?
Southwestern Adventist University: $22,778/yr net price after aid versus $26,265/yr at Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth — a difference of $3,487 a year, or about $38,582 over four years.
Do Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth or Southwestern Adventist University graduates earn more?
Southwestern Adventist University graduates earn a median $52,946 ten years after entry, versus $51,222 at Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth — a $1,724 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.