Head-to-head comparison
Abilene Christian University vs LeTourneau University: which has better ROI?
Option A Abilene, TX
Abilene Christian University
- Net price / year
- $26,182
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,736
- Payback
- 14.2 yrs
Option B Longview, TX
LeTourneau University
- Net price / year
- $28,185
- Earnings, 10 years
- $57,103
- Payback
- 12.9 yrs
LeTourneau University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $112,740 in 12.9 years versus 14.2 years at Abilene Christian University, on median earnings of $57,103 vs $55,736 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Abilene Christian University | LeTourneau University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,182 | $28,185 |
| Total net cost | $104,728 | $112,740 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,736 | $57,103 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 14.2 yrs | 12.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $42,792 | $62,120 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Abilene Christian University or LeTourneau University?
Abilene Christian University, at $26,182 a year after aid versus $28,185 — a gap of $2,003 a year, or $8,012 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Abilene Christian University or LeTourneau University graduates earn more?
LeTourneau University graduates report a median $57,103 ten years after entry, $1,367 more than the $55,736 at Abilene Christian University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Abilene Christian University or LeTourneau University?
Abilene Christian University: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $26,000 at LeTourneau University, a difference of $1,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
59% of students finish at Abilene Christian University, against 59% at LeTourneau University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.