Head-to-head comparison
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor vs Southwestern University: which has better ROI?
Option A Belton, TX
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Net price / year
- $26,106
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,132
- Payback
- 13.4 yrs
Option B Georgetown, TX
Southwestern University
- Net price / year
- $29,224
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,878
- Payback
- 13.7 yrs
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $104,424 in 13.4 years versus 13.7 years at Southwestern University, on median earnings of $56,132 vs $56,878 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Southwestern University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,106 | $29,224 |
| Total net cost | $104,424 | $116,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,132 | $56,878 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 13.4 yrs | 13.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $51,016 | $53,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor or Southwestern University?
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, at $26,106 a year after aid versus $29,224 — a gap of $3,118 a year, or $12,472 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 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor or Southwestern University graduates earn more?
Southwestern University graduates report a median $56,878 ten years after entry, $746 more than the $56,132 at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. 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, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor or Southwestern University?
Southwestern University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a difference of $1,000. 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?
73% of students finish at Southwestern University, against 49% at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. 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.