Wayland Baptist University
Wayland Baptist University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wayland Baptist University at a Glance
Wayland Baptist University (WBU) is a private Baptist university based in Plainview, Texas. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Wayland Baptist has 11 campuses in five Texas cities, six states, American Samoa, and Kenya. Chartered in 1908, it had about 4,000 students in 2021, including about 900 students on its main campus.
Is Wayland Baptist University Worth It?
At a value score of 12/100, Wayland Baptist University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,838 — 4% below average — while paying $20,590/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 19% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 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 Wayland Baptist University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wayland Baptist University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #84 of 84 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #3 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #4 | Augustana College | 53 | $22,736 | $62,971 |
| #5 | Madonna University | 49 | $17,755 | $59,058 |
| #6 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #84 | Wayland Baptist University | 12 | $20,590 | $51,838 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wayland Baptist University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in TX.
Best Programs at Wayland Baptist University
The highest-earning program at Wayland Baptist University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $44,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $35,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Wayland Baptist University earns $44,600, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $35,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $24,000 in median debt vs. $15,750 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,590/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 | $44,600 | $44,600 | $24,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,300 | $35,300 | $15,750 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Plainview, TX
- Student Body
- 2,041 students
- Admission Rate
- 56%
- Graduation Rate
- 19%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,590
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,838
- Median Student Debt
- $23,106