Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth vs Texas Lutheran 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 18.4 years at Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth, on median earnings of $53,863 vs $51,222 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth | Texas Lutheran University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,265 | $24,654 |
| Total net cost | $52,530 | $98,616 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,222 | $53,863 |
| Median debt | $14,267 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 18.4 yrs | 17.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $4,710 | $11,444 |
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 Texas Lutheran University?
Texas Lutheran University, at $24,654 a year after aid versus $26,265 — a gap of $1,611 a year, or $46,086 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 Texas Lutheran University graduates earn more?
Texas Lutheran University graduates report a median $53,863 ten years after entry, $2,641 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 Texas Lutheran University?
Universal Technical Institute-Dallas Fort Worth: its completers carry a median $14,267 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Texas Lutheran University, a difference of $10,733. 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 54% at Texas Lutheran 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.