At $23,790/yr net price, East Texas Baptist University graduates earn $52,788/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,788/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,790 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,160 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,788/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,788/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,306/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,898/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,088/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,843/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,661/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. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $44,356 | |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | Master | $43,426 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $42,235 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $26,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $25,125 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
48.0% of students at East Texas Baptist University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
East Texas Baptist University sits in a mixed financial spot. You pay close to $24,000 a year and come out with median earnings around $53,000 a decade later, carrying about the same in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, but the payoff hinges heavily on which major you pick, and the 48% graduation rate means fewer than half of you finish on the standard timeline.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $63,000, nearly $20,000 more than the next-best program and enough to cover the $26,000 in debt it typically requires. Teacher education splits sharply: the specific-subject track pays about $44,000, while the specific-levels track and general business both land near $35,000. If you borrow the same $26,000 for the lower-paying teaching path, the math gets tight fast. Multi/interdisciplinary studies sits at the bottom around $31,000, and that debt load barely moves after graduation.
The specific risk at ETBU is finishing and choosing wrong. A 69% retention rate means roughly three in ten of you leave after the first year, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome on this page. Marshall and the surrounding East Texas market reward nursing and teaching credentials, so those programs connect to real local jobs. General business and interdisciplinary degrees give you less to point to.
The net price tiers barely reward lower income here. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay over $20,000, and the highest bracket pays only about $7,000 more. That flat structure means low-income families carry a heavy relative burden. ETBU makes sense for you if you're going into nursing or subject-area teaching. If you want a general business or interdisciplinary degree and would need to borrow heavily, look at cheaper public options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Texas Baptist University worth the money?
East Texas Baptist University's return on investment is mixed, with graduates earning $52,788 ten years after graduation against a median debt of $23,250. The nursing programs offer strong earning potential at $63,005, but other education programs pay significantly less at $35,060-$44,356.
What is the graduation rate at East Texas Baptist University and does it affect value?
East Texas Baptist University has a 48% graduation rate, meaning over half of students don't finish their degree. This low completion rate significantly reduces the school's value since students who don't graduate still carry debt without the degree's earning benefits.
Which programs at East Texas Baptist University have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at East Texas Baptist University provide the strongest return on investment, with graduates earning $63,005 annually. Education programs offer weaker returns, with some graduates earning as little as $35,060 despite similar debt loads.
How much debt do East Texas Baptist University students typically graduate with?
East Texas Baptist University graduates carry a median debt of $23,250, which is manageable for nursing graduates but creates financial strain for education majors earning $35,000-$44,000. The debt-to-income ratio varies dramatically by program choice.