Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dallas Baptist University at a Glance
Dallas Baptist University (DBU) is a private Baptist university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1898 as Decatur Baptist College, Dallas Baptist University currently operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Hurst. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
1898
128 years old
$42M
$41.7 million
4,247
2,874 undergrad · 1,373 grad
124
368 acres
Identity
Is Dallas Baptist University Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Dallas Baptist University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $56,807 — 6% above average — while paying $28,516/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Dallas Baptist University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Dallas Baptist University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #89 of 140 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #89 | Dallas Baptist University | 29 | $28,516 | $56,807 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Dallas Baptist University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in TX.
Best Programs at Dallas Baptist University
The highest-earning program at Dallas Baptist University is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $45,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Religious Education at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Dallas Baptist University earns $45,000, while a Religious Education graduate earns $22,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,516/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,000 | $45,000 | $20,500 |
| Marketing | $44,200 | $44,200 | $20,812 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,700 | $43,700 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,300 | $36,300 | $17,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,400 | $31,400 | $27,278 |
| Music | $28,100 | $28,100 | $24,422 |
| Psychology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $18,630 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $26,700 | $26,700 | $24,486 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,100 | $23,100 | $24,765 |
| Religious Education | $22,000 | $22,000 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Student Body
- 2,403 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,516
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,807
- Median Student Debt
- $21,591