Head-to-head comparison
Baylor University vs St. Mary's University: which has better ROI?
Option A Waco, TX
Baylor University
- Net price / year
- $41,104
- Earnings, 10 years
- $65,793
- Payback
- 9.4 yrs
Option B San Antonio, TX
St. Mary's University
- Net price / year
- $21,145
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,955
- Payback
- 9.8 yrs
Baylor University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $164,416 in 9.4 years versus 9.8 years at St. Mary's University, on median earnings of $65,793 vs $56,955 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Baylor University | St. Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $41,104 | $21,145 |
| Total net cost | $164,416 | $84,580 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,793 | $56,955 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $25,563 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $184,244 | $87,320 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Baylor University or St. Mary's University?
St. Mary's University, at $21,145 a year after aid versus $41,104 — a gap of $19,959 a year, or $79,836 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 Baylor University or St. Mary's University graduates earn more?
Baylor University graduates report a median $65,793 ten years after entry, $8,838 more than the $56,955 at St. Mary's 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, Baylor University or St. Mary's University?
Baylor University: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $25,563 at St. Mary's University, a difference of $2,563. 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?
80% of students finish at Baylor University, against 59% at St. Mary's 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.