At $41,942/yr net price, Baylor University graduates earn $65,793/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $31,793/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $41,942 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $167,768 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,793/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,793/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $30,674/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,348/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,236/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $37,708/yr |
| $110,001+ | $47,442/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,127 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $96,457 | $54,384 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $84,653 | $20,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,047 | $21,500 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $71,015 | $27,000 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $69,338 | $172,756 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,897 | $26,096 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $65,320 | $23,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $64,216 | $22,362 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $63,522 | $22,056 |
The Risk Factor
80.2% of students at Baylor University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Baylor gives you a mixed financial return. At nearly $42,000 a year in net price, you're paying premium private-school money, but the $65,793 median earnings ten years out sit closer to what public flagships produce. The $23,000 median debt is manageable and won't bury you, and the 90% retention plus 80% graduation rate mean you're likely to finish and start earning, which is where a lot of the ROI math actually breaks down at weaker schools.
Your major decides everything here. Sales and marketing operations lead at nearly $85,000 with the lowest debt on the list, so you graduate ahead on both ends. The engineering and computing tracks all clear $65,000: electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, and management information systems. Computer science carries the heaviest debt at $27,000, but the salary supports it. If you're heading into these fields, Baylor pays off. Programs outside this cluster aren't listed with strong earnings, so if you're studying something in the humanities or a lower-paying field, expect the full price without the salary to match, and that's where the numbers turn against you.
The regional job market helps engineering and tech grads, with Texas metros like Dallas and Austin absorbing these skills nearby. The main risk is paying private tuition for a degree that earns like a public one.
The net price tiers barely move with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay about $30,700, nearly the same as a family earning $48,000 to $75,000. Aid flattens the cost but doesn't erase it, so lower-income families carry a heavy real burden. Baylor fits you if you're committed to engineering, computing, or sales. If you're chasing a lower-paying major, look at cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baylor University worth the high tuition cost?
Baylor's $41,942 annual net price is steep compared to the $65,793 median earnings 10 years after graduation. The nursing programs offer strong returns at over $100,000, but many other majors struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at Baylor University?
Nursing programs at Baylor lead with median earnings over $100,000, followed by business administration at $96,457. Computer science graduates earn $71,015, which is relatively low for the field given the tuition cost.
How much student debt do Baylor University graduates typically have?
Baylor graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. The 80% graduation rate helps, but the debt-to-income ratio varies dramatically by major.
Does Baylor University provide good financial aid to offset costs?
Despite financial aid, Baylor's net price remains over $40,000 annually for most students. The aid helps but doesn't make the school affordable for middle-class families without significant borrowing.