Head-to-head comparison
University of the Incarnate Word vs St. Mary's 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 San Antonio, TX
St. Mary's University
- Net price / year
- $21,145
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,955
- Payback
- 9.8 yrs
St. Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,580 in 9.8 years versus 10.9 years at University of the Incarnate Word, on median earnings of $56,955 vs $56,733 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of the Incarnate Word | St. Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,775 | $21,145 |
| Total net cost | $91,100 | $84,580 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,733 | $56,955 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $25,563 |
| Payback | 10.9 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $76,360 | $87,320 |
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 St. Mary's University?
St. Mary's University, at $21,145 a year after aid versus $22,775 — a gap of $1,630 a year, or $6,520 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 St. Mary's University graduates earn more?
St. Mary's University graduates report a median $56,955 ten years after entry, $222 more than the $56,733 at University of the Incarnate Word. 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 St. Mary's University?
St. Mary's University: its completers carry a median $25,563 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of the Incarnate Word, a difference of $1,437. 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?
59% of students finish at St. Mary's University, against 51% at University of the Incarnate Word. 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.