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Head-to-head comparison

Sam Houston State University vs Saint Edward's University: which has better ROI?

Public, Huntsville TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Austin TX

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Net price / year
$16,404
Earnings, 10 years
$54,211
Payback
11.2 yrs

Option B Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Net price / year
$25,578
Earnings, 10 years
$58,826
Payback
9.8 yrs
The verdict

Saint Edward's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $102,312 in 9.8 years versus 11.2 years at Sam Houston State University, on median earnings of $58,826 vs $54,211 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSam Houston State UniversitySaint Edward's University
Net price / yr$16,404$25,578
Total net cost$65,616$102,312
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,211$58,826
Median debt$21,983$24,803
Payback11.2 yrs9.8 yrs
20-year net return$51,404$107,008

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Sam Houston State University or Saint Edward's University?

Sam Houston State University, at $16,404 a year after aid versus $25,578 — a gap of $9,174 a year, or $36,696 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 Sam Houston State University or Saint Edward's University graduates earn more?

Saint Edward's University graduates report a median $58,826 ten years after entry, $4,615 more than the $54,211 at Sam Houston State 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, Sam Houston State University or Saint Edward's University?

Sam Houston State University: its completers carry a median $21,983 in federal loans versus $24,803 at Saint Edward's University, a difference of $2,820. 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 55% at Sam Houston State 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.

Sam Houston State University vs Saint Edward's University: frequently asked questions

Is Sam Houston State University or Saint Edward's University a better value?
Saint Edward's University. It clears its $102,312 net cost in about 9.8 years versus 11.2 years at Sam Houston State University, on median earnings of $58,826 vs $54,211 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Sam Houston State University or Saint Edward's University?
Sam Houston State University: $16,404/yr net price after aid versus $25,578/yr at Saint Edward's University — a difference of $9,174 a year, or about $36,696 over four years.
Do Sam Houston State University or Saint Edward's University graduates earn more?
Saint Edward's University graduates earn a median $58,826 ten years after entry, versus $54,211 at Sam Houston State University — a $4,615 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.