Abilene Christian University

Abilene, TX 3,195 Undergrads 59.4% Grad Rate

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Total Cost

$59,256

Sticker Price

Avg Net Price

$26,182

After Aid

Median Earnings

$59,305

4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$26,182

Peer Midpoint: $20,081

Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation

$59,305

Peer Midpoint: $60,428

Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment

$55,736

Peer Midpoint: $53,763

Graduation Rate59.4%

Peer Midpoint: 58.9%

Average Starting Age19.9

Socio-Economic Diversity

Pell Grant Recipients22.6%

Enrollment Status

Full-Time97.1%

Economic Outcomes

Earn More than HS74.1%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance

66.0%

SAT Avg

1,194

SAT Reading

25th: 54058575th: 650

SAT Math

25th: 53057575th: 620

ACT Composite

25th: 222575th: 28

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV

Vs Median Peer

Vs HS Grad

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

+$530k

+$63k

+$46k

Median Cost$26k/yr

+$436k

-$31k

-$48k

Full Cost$59k/yr

+$317k

-$150k

-$168k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age

Return on Inv. %

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

∞

Median Cost$26k/yr

Never

-51%

Full Cost$59k/yr

Never

-79%

Analysis Assumptions:

Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return-54%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-78%

Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Bachelor's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services

BachCIP: 5203

Median Debt

$21,500

Earnings (4yr)

$93,032

Natl Median: $76,194

Lifetime Value Added

+$211k

Agricultural Business and Management

BachCIP: 0101

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $66,647

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Animal Sciences

BachCIP: 0109

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $49,634

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Architecture and Related Services, Other

BachCIP: 0499

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,161

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Bible/Biblical Studies

BachCIP: 3902

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$30,173

Natl Median: $44,533

Lifetime Value Added

-$285k

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

BachCIP: 2602

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,466

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biology, General

BachCIP: 2601

Median Debt

$25,625

Earnings (5yr)

$51,357

Natl Median: $57,214

Lifetime Value Added

-$122k

Business Administration, Management and Operations

BachCIP: 5202

Median Debt

$21,500

Earnings (4yr)

$63,259

Natl Median: $68,257

Lifetime Value Added

-$17k

Communication and Media Studies

BachCIP: 0901

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$49,202

Natl Median: $56,359

Lifetime Value Added

-$132k

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

BachCIP: 5102

Median Debt

$15,100

Earnings (4yr)

$70,864

Natl Median: $58,928

Lifetime Value Added

+$42k

Computer and Information Sciences, General

BachCIP: 1101

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $92,374

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

BachCIP: 1107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$91,894

Natl Median: $107,009

Lifetime Value Added

+$202k

Criminal Justice and Corrections

BachCIP: 4301

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$31,741

Natl Median: $55,378

Lifetime Value Added

-$270k

Design and Applied Arts

BachCIP: 5004

Median Debt

$21,875

Earnings (4yr)

$49,818

Natl Median: $51,490

Lifetime Value Added

-$127k

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

BachCIP: 5131

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,753

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

BachCIP: 5005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $39,775

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Engineering, General

BachCIP: 1401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $89,359

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

English Language and Literature, General

BachCIP: 2301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,590

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Finance and Financial Management Services

BachCIP: 5208

Median Debt

$22,375

Earnings (4yr)

$83,525

Natl Median: $83,343

Lifetime Value Added

+$139k

Fine and Studio Arts

BachCIP: 5007

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,367

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Gerontology

BachCIP: 3011

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $54,051

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

History

BachCIP: 5401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,680

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

BachCIP: 1907

Median Debt

$26,000

Earnings (4yr)

$50,525

Natl Median: $48,568

Lifetime Value Added

-$121k

International/Globalization Studies

BachCIP: 3020

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $59,972

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Journalism

BachCIP: 0904

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $56,278

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Management Information Systems and Services

BachCIP: 5212

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $83,290

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Marketing

BachCIP: 5214

Median Debt

$22,864

Earnings (4yr)

$65,244

Natl Median: $69,303

Lifetime Value Added

-$1k

Mathematics

BachCIP: 2701

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $69,562

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

BachCIP: 3099

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$51,695

Natl Median: $55,693

Lifetime Value Added

-$111k

Music

BachCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $42,892

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

BachCIP: 0301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,012

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physics

BachCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $76,786

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Political Science and Government

BachCIP: 4510

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $63,293

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Psychology, General

BachCIP: 4201

Median Debt

$26,500

Earnings (4yr)

$51,705

Natl Median: $50,706

Lifetime Value Added

-$111k

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

BachCIP: 0909

Median Debt

Earnings (2yr)

$37,568

Natl Median: $63,560

Lifetime Value Added

-$218k

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication

BachCIP: 0907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,497

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

BachCIP: 5138

Median Debt

$24,850

Earnings (4yr)

$89,079

Natl Median: $88,910

Lifetime Value Added

+$181k

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

BachCIP: 1609

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,000

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Social Work

BachCIP: 4407

Median Debt

$23,250

Earnings (4yr)

$53,877

Natl Median: $51,790

Lifetime Value Added

-$93k

Sociology

BachCIP: 4511

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $52,657

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Special Education and Teaching

BachCIP: 1310

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,499

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

BachCIP: 3105

Median Debt

$21,375

Earnings (4yr)

$62,645

Natl Median: $54,562

Lifetime Value Added

-$22k

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

BachCIP: 1312

Median Debt

$27,000

Earnings (4yr)

$51,334

Natl Median: $47,382

Lifetime Value Added

-$114k

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

BachCIP: 1313

Median Debt

$27,000

Earnings (4yr)

$49,566

Natl Median: $51,389

Lifetime Value Added

-$129k

Theology and Religious Vocations, Other

BachCIP: 3999

Median Debt

$23,250

Earnings (4yr)

$47,663

Natl Median: $43,566

Lifetime Value Added

-$145k

Master's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services

MastCIP: 5203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$99,319

Natl Median: $95,833

Lifetime Value Added

+$186k

Business Administration, Management and Operations

MastCIP: 5202

Median Debt

$36,818

Earnings (4yr)

$105,173

Natl Median: $103,485

Lifetime Value Added

+$237k

Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology

MastCIP: 4228

Median Debt

$63,621

Earnings (4yr)

$60,600

Natl Median: $65,184

Lifetime Value Added

-$155k

Communication and Media Studies

MastCIP: 0901

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $71,953

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

MastCIP: 5102

Median Debt

$54,837

Earnings (4yr)

$64,230

Natl Median: $67,030

Lifetime Value Added

-$122k

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

MastCIP: 5131

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,269

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Education, General

MastCIP: 1301

Median Debt

$20,500

Earnings (4yr)

$57,443

Natl Median: $65,824

Lifetime Value Added

-$184k

Educational Administration and Supervision

MastCIP: 1304

Median Debt

$41,000

Earnings (4yr)

$55,649

Natl Median: $71,685

Lifetime Value Added

-$201k

English Language and Literature, General

MastCIP: 2301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,512

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Health and Medical Administrative Services

MastCIP: 5107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $89,981

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions

MastCIP: 5115

Median Debt

$57,049

Earnings (4yr)

$55,407

Natl Median: $59,571

Lifetime Value Added

-$203k

Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology

MastCIP: 3903

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,204

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

MastCIP: 3099

Median Debt

$40,875

Earnings (4yr)

$84,172

Natl Median: $75,122

Lifetime Value Added

+$54k

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries

MastCIP: 3907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,024

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

MastCIP: 3005

Median Debt

$40,999

Earnings (4yr)

$54,949

Natl Median: $70,267

Lifetime Value Added

-$208k

Psychology, General

MastCIP: 4201

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $64,711

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions

MastCIP: 5123

Median Debt

$55,660

Earnings (4yr)

$78,976

Natl Median: $71,416

Lifetime Value Added

+$8k

Religion/Religious Studies

MastCIP: 3802

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $57,737

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Social Work

MastCIP: 4407

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$60,816

Natl Median: $65,123

Lifetime Value Added

-$153k

Theological and Ministerial Studies

MastCIP: 3906

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $61,300

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Graduate Certificates

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Gr-CertCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $94,506

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services

Gr-CertCIP: 5131

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,965

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Educational Administration and Supervision

Gr-CertCIP: 1304

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $86,288

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

Gr-CertCIP: 3005

Median Debt

$33,823

Earnings (4yr)

$56,391

Natl Median: $59,095

Lifetime Value Added

-$121k

Doctoral Degrees

Educational Administration and Supervision

DocCIP: 1304

Median Debt

$64,561

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $100,573

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries

DocCIP: 3907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $92,854

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

DocCIP: 5138

Median Debt

$45,439

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $138,131

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.