Mid-America Christian University
Mid-America Christian University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Mid-America Christian University at a Glance
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) is a private Christian university in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. MACU is an endorsed agency of the Church of God and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. MACU was initially founded as the South Texas Bible Institute in 1953 in Houston Heights, Houston, Texas.
1953
73 years old
2,558
Identity
Is Mid-America Christian University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Mid-America Christian University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,116 — 14% below average — while paying $16,692/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 40% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $26,394 representing 57% 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 Mid-America Christian University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Mid-America Christian University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #52 of 104 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #4 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #5 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #52 | Mid-America Christian University | 27 | $16,692 | $46,116 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Mid-America Christian University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OK.
Best Programs at Mid-America Christian University
The highest-earning program at Mid-America Christian University is Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at $58,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Behavioral Sciences at $17,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduate from Mid-America Christian University earns $58,400, while a Behavioral Sciences graduate earns $17,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduates carry $31,250 in median debt vs. $29,687 for Behavioral Sciences.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,692/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $58,400 | $58,400 | $31,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,600 | $45,600 | $28,782 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,900 | $38,900 | $26,187 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | $36,500 | $36,500 | $38,750 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $33,300 | $33,300 | $30,149 |
| Behavioral Sciences | $17,900 | $17,900 | $29,687 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Student Body
- 1,666 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,692
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,116
- Median Student Debt
- $26,394