Head-to-head comparison
Universal Technical Institute-West Texas vs McMurry University: which has better ROI?
Option A Austin, TX
Universal Technical Institute-West Texas
- Net price / year
- $26,117
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,222
- Payback
- 36.5 yrs
Option B Abilene, TX
McMurry University
- Net price / year
- $19,581
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,779
- Payback
- 186.9 yrs
Universal Technical Institute-West Texas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $104,468 in 36.5 years versus 186.9 years at McMurry University, on median earnings of $51,222 vs $48,779 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Universal Technical Institute-West Texas | McMurry University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,117 | $19,581 |
| Total net cost | $104,468 | $78,324 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,222 | $48,779 |
| Median debt | $14,267 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 36.5 yrs | 186.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$47,228 | -$69,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-West Texas or McMurry University?
McMurry University, at $19,581 a year after aid versus $26,117 — a gap of $6,536 a year, or $26,144 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 Universal Technical Institute-West Texas or McMurry University graduates earn more?
Universal Technical Institute-West Texas graduates report a median $51,222 ten years after entry, $2,443 more than the $48,779 at McMurry 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, Universal Technical Institute-West Texas or McMurry University?
Universal Technical Institute-West Texas: its completers carry a median $14,267 in federal loans versus $27,000 at McMurry University, a difference of $12,733. 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?
75% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute-West Texas, against 44% at McMurry 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.