Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Howard Payne University Worth It?
At a value score of 15/100, Howard Payne University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,376 — 10% below average — while paying $23,627/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 30% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,793 representing 55% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Howard Payne University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Howard Payne University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #88 of 100 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #5 | Wesleyan College | 43 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| #6 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #88 | Howard Payne University | 15 | $23,627 | $48,376 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Howard Payne University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in TX.
Best Programs at Howard Payne University
The highest-earning program at Howard Payne University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $34,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $29,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Howard Payne University earns $34,300, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate earns $29,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,627/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,300 | $34,300 | $23,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Brownwood, TX
- Student Body
- 713 students
- Admission Rate
- 67%
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,627
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,376
- Median Student Debt
- $26,793