Head-to-head comparison
University of the Incarnate Word vs Houston Christian University: which has better ROI?
Option A San Antonio, TX
University of the Incarnate Word
- Net price / year
- $22,775
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,733
- Payback
- 10.9 yrs
Option B Houston, TX
Houston Christian University
- Net price / year
- $20,629
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,933
- Payback
- 10.9 yrs
University of the Incarnate Word has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,100 in 10.9 years versus 10.9 years at Houston Christian University, on median earnings of $56,733 vs $55,933 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of the Incarnate Word | Houston Christian University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,775 | $20,629 |
| Total net cost | $91,100 | $82,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,733 | $55,933 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $22,642 |
| Payback | 10.9 yrs | 10.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $76,360 | $68,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of the Incarnate Word or Houston Christian University?
Houston Christian University, at $20,629 a year after aid versus $22,775 — a gap of $2,146 a year, or $8,584 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 the Incarnate Word or Houston Christian University graduates earn more?
University of the Incarnate Word graduates report a median $56,733 ten years after entry, $800 more than the $55,933 at Houston Christian 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, University of the Incarnate Word or Houston Christian University?
Houston Christian University: its completers carry a median $22,642 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of the Incarnate Word, a difference of $4,358. 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?
51% of students finish at University of the Incarnate Word, against 49% at Houston Christian 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.