Head-to-head comparison
University of North Texas vs University of St Thomas: which has better ROI?
Option A Denton, TX
University of North Texas
- Net price / year
- $15,649
- Earnings, 10 years
- $57,010
- Payback
- 7.2 yrs
Option B Houston, TX
University of St Thomas
- Net price / year
- $19,359
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,224
- Payback
- 7.1 yrs
University of St Thomas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,436 in 7.1 years versus 7.2 years at University of North Texas, on median earnings of $59,224 vs $57,010 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of North Texas | University of St Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,649 | $19,359 |
| Total net cost | $62,596 | $77,436 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,010 | $59,224 |
| Median debt | $19,250 | $19,928 |
| Payback | 7.2 yrs | 7.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $110,404 | $139,844 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of North Texas or University of St Thomas?
University of North Texas, at $15,649 a year after aid versus $19,359 — a gap of $3,710 a year, or $14,840 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 North Texas or University of St Thomas graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates report a median $59,224 ten years after entry, $2,214 more than the $57,010 at University of North Texas. 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 North Texas or University of St Thomas?
University of North Texas: its completers carry a median $19,250 in federal loans versus $19,928 at University of St Thomas, a difference of $678. 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?
69% of students finish at University of St Thomas, against 61% at University of North Texas. 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.