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University of North Texas vs University of St Thomas: which has better ROI?

Public, Denton TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Houston TX

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of St Thomas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,436 in 7.1 years versus 7.2 years at University of North Texas, on median earnings of $59,224 vs $57,010 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North TexasUniversity of St Thomas
Net price / yr$15,649$19,359
Total net cost$62,596$77,436
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,010$59,224
Median debt$19,250$19,928
Payback7.2 yrs7.1 yrs
20-year net return$110,404$139,844

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

Which is cheaper, University of North Texas or University of St Thomas?

University of North Texas, at $15,649 a year after aid versus $19,359 — a gap of $3,710 a year, or $14,840 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 North Texas or University of St Thomas graduates earn more?

University of St Thomas graduates report a median $59,224 ten years after entry, $2,214 more than the $57,010 at University of North Texas. 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 North Texas or University of St Thomas?

University of North Texas: its completers carry a median $19,250 in federal loans versus $19,928 at University of St Thomas, a difference of $678. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at University of St Thomas, against 61% at University of North Texas. 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.

University of North Texas vs University of St Thomas: frequently asked questions

Is University of North Texas or University of St Thomas a better value?
University of St Thomas. It clears its $77,436 net cost in about 7.1 years versus 7.2 years at University of North Texas, on median earnings of $59,224 vs $57,010 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of North Texas or University of St Thomas?
University of North Texas: $15,649/yr net price after aid versus $19,359/yr at University of St Thomas — a difference of $3,710 a year, or about $14,840 over four years.
Do University of North Texas or University of St Thomas graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates earn a median $59,224 ten years after entry, versus $57,010 at University of North Texas — a $2,214 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.