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West Texas A & M University vs Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.: which has better ROI?

Public, Canyon TX · vs · Private for-profit, Houston TX

The verdict

Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $92,384 in 32.3 years versus 32.7 years at West Texas A & M University, on median earnings of $51,222 vs $50,741 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWest Texas A & M UniversityUniversal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.
Net price / yr$19,487$23,096
Total net cost$77,948$92,384
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,741$51,222
Median debt$19,500$14,267
Payback32.7 yrs32.3 yrs
20-year net return-$30,328-$35,144

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

Which is cheaper, West Texas A & M University or Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.?

West Texas A & M University, at $19,487 a year after aid versus $23,096 — a gap of $3,609 a year, or $14,436 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do West Texas A & M University or Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. graduates earn more?

Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. graduates report a median $51,222 ten years after entry, $481 more than the $50,741 at West Texas A & M 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, West Texas A & M University or Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.?

Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.: its completers carry a median $14,267 in federal loans versus $19,500 at West Texas A & M University, a difference of $5,233. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

60% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc., against 55% at West Texas A & M 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.

West Texas A & M University vs Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.: frequently asked questions

Is West Texas A & M University or Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. a better value?
Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.. It clears its $92,384 net cost in about 32.3 years versus 32.7 years at West Texas A & M University, on median earnings of $51,222 vs $50,741 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, West Texas A & M University or Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc.?
West Texas A & M University: $19,487/yr net price after aid versus $23,096/yr at Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. — a difference of $3,609 a year, or about $14,436 over four years.
Do West Texas A & M University or Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. graduates earn more?
Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. graduates earn a median $51,222 ten years after entry, versus $50,741 at West Texas A & M University — a $481 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.