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West Texas A & M University vs Wayland Baptist University: which has better ROI?

Public, Canyon TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Plainview TX

The verdict

Wayland Baptist University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,360 in 23.7 years versus 32.7 years at West Texas A & M University, on median earnings of $51,838 vs $50,741 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWest Texas A & M UniversityWayland Baptist University
Net price / yr$19,487$20,590
Total net cost$77,948$82,360
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,741$51,838
Median debt$19,500$23,106
Payback32.7 yrs23.7 yrs
20-year net return-$30,328-$12,800

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

Which is cheaper, West Texas A & M University or Wayland Baptist University?

West Texas A & M University, at $19,487 a year after aid versus $20,590 — a gap of $1,103 a year, or $4,412 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 Wayland Baptist University graduates earn more?

Wayland Baptist University graduates report a median $51,838 ten years after entry, $1,097 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 Wayland Baptist University?

West Texas A & M University: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $23,106 at Wayland Baptist University, a difference of $3,606. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at West Texas A & M University, against 19% at Wayland Baptist 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 Wayland Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is West Texas A & M University or Wayland Baptist University a better value?
Wayland Baptist University. It clears its $82,360 net cost in about 23.7 years versus 32.7 years at West Texas A & M University, on median earnings of $51,838 vs $50,741 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, West Texas A & M University or Wayland Baptist University?
West Texas A & M University: $19,487/yr net price after aid versus $20,590/yr at Wayland Baptist University — a difference of $1,103 a year, or about $4,412 over four years.
Do West Texas A & M University or Wayland Baptist University graduates earn more?
Wayland Baptist University graduates earn a median $51,838 ten years after entry, versus $50,741 at West Texas A & M University — a $1,097 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.