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Head-to-head comparison

University of St Thomas vs Austin College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Houston TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Sherman TX

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

Option A Houston, TX

University of St Thomas

Net price / year
$19,359
Earnings, 10 years
$59,224
Payback
7.1 yrs

Option B Sherman, TX

Austin College

Net price / year
$21,107
Earnings, 10 years
$61,296
Payback
6.5 yrs
The verdict

Austin College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,428 in 6.5 years versus 7.1 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $61,296 vs $59,224 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of St ThomasAustin College
Net price / yr$19,359$21,107
Total net cost$77,436$84,428
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,224$61,296
Median debt$19,928$24,500
Payback7.1 yrs6.5 yrs
20-year net return$139,844$174,292

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or Austin College?

University of St Thomas, at $19,359 a year after aid versus $21,107 — a gap of $1,748 a year, or $6,992 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 St Thomas or Austin College graduates earn more?

Austin College graduates report a median $61,296 ten years after entry, $2,072 more than the $59,224 at University of St Thomas. 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 St Thomas or Austin College?

University of St Thomas: its completers carry a median $19,928 in federal loans versus $24,500 at Austin College, a difference of $4,572. 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 67% at Austin College. 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.

University of St Thomas vs Austin College: frequently asked questions

Is University of St Thomas or Austin College a better value?
Austin College. It clears its $84,428 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 7.1 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $61,296 vs $59,224 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or Austin College?
University of St Thomas: $19,359/yr net price after aid versus $21,107/yr at Austin College — a difference of $1,748 a year, or about $6,992 over four years.
Do University of St Thomas or Austin College graduates earn more?
Austin College graduates earn a median $61,296 ten years after entry, versus $59,224 at University of St Thomas — a $2,072 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.