Head-to-head comparison
Houston Christian University vs Saint Edward's University: which has better ROI?
Option A Houston, TX
Houston Christian University
- Net price / year
- $20,629
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,933
- Payback
- 10.9 yrs
Option B Austin, TX
Saint Edward's University
- Net price / year
- $25,578
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,826
- Payback
- 9.8 yrs
Saint Edward's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $102,312 in 9.8 years versus 10.9 years at Houston Christian University, on median earnings of $58,826 vs $55,933 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Houston Christian University | Saint Edward's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,629 | $25,578 |
| Total net cost | $82,516 | $102,312 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,933 | $58,826 |
| Median debt | $22,642 | $24,803 |
| Payback | 10.9 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $68,944 | $107,008 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Houston Christian University or Saint Edward's University?
Houston Christian University, at $20,629 a year after aid versus $25,578 — a gap of $4,949 a year, or $19,796 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 Houston Christian University or Saint Edward's University graduates earn more?
Saint Edward's University graduates report a median $58,826 ten years after entry, $2,893 more than the $55,933 at Houston 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, Houston Christian University or Saint Edward's University?
Houston Christian University: its completers carry a median $22,642 in federal loans versus $24,803 at Saint Edward's University, a difference of $2,161. 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?
63% of students finish at Saint Edward's University, against 49% at Houston Christian 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.