University of Mary Hardin-Baylor vs Southwestern University: which has better ROI?
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $104,424 in 13.4 years versus 13.7 years at Southwestern University, on median earnings of $56,132 vs $56,878 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Southwestern University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,106 | $29,224 |
| Total net cost | $104,424 | $116,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,132 | $56,878 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 13.4 yrs | 13.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $51,016 | $53,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor or Southwestern University?
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, at $26,106 a year after aid versus $29,224 — a gap of $3,118 a year, or $12,472 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Mary Hardin-Baylor or Southwestern University graduates earn more?
Southwestern University graduates report a median $56,878 ten years after entry, $746 more than the $56,132 at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. 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, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor or Southwestern University?
Southwestern University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a difference of $1,000. 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 49% at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. 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.