At $19,988/yr net price, McMurry University graduates earn $48,779/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,779/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,988 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $79,952 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,779/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,779/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,614/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,608/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,512/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,689/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,964/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 | $68,079 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $28,776 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $43,798 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $36,134 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,603 | $21,833 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,964 | $26,028 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $21,508 |
The Risk Factor
38.6% of students at McMurry University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
McMurry University gives you a mixed financial picture with one clear standout and several weak spots. The median graduate earns about $48,800 ten years out against $27,000 in debt, so the typical payoff is modest for a private school charging nearly $20,000 a year net. The 38.6% graduation rate and 64.6% retention rate are the bigger risks here: if you borrow, start, and don't finish, you carry debt with no degree to pay it off.
Nursing is where the money is. At around $68,000, nursing graduates out-earn every other program by more than $20,000 and are the one major that clearly justifies the price. Accounting and business administration land in the high $30,000s to low $40,000s, which covers the debt but leaves little room. Marketing sits at the bottom near $36,000, and teacher education pays about $46,000 while carrying the highest debt on the list at nearly $29,000. If you're going into teaching or marketing here, run the numbers hard before you borrow.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $48,000, where you'd pay roughly $14,600 to $15,600 a year. Above $110,000, the price jumps to nearly $29,000, which is close to sticker and harder to justify unless you're in nursing. The middle tiers climb steadily, so a $75,000-to-$110,000 income leaves you paying about $23,700 with no earnings guarantee outside health care.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing or another health credential and qualify for the lower-income net price. If you're aiming at marketing, general business, or education, or if you're a full-pay family, the earnings don't support the cost, and the low completion rate makes the borrowing riskier than the price alone suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McMurry University worth the cost?
McMurry University's ROI is weak, with graduates earning $48,779 after 10 years against $27,000 in typical debt. The nursing program offers better returns at $68,079, but most other programs struggle to justify the cost.
What are the highest paying majors at McMurry University?
Nursing programs lead with $68,079 average earnings, followed by education at $46,087 and accounting at $43,798. Business and marketing majors earn significantly less at $38,289 and $36,134 respectively.
How much student debt do McMurry University graduates have?
McMurry graduates typically carry $27,000 in debt, which is manageable for nursing majors but creates payment challenges for business graduates earning under $40,000. The low 38.6% graduation rate means many students leave with debt but no degree.
Does McMurry University have good job placement after graduation?
McMurry's overall graduate outcomes are below average, with earnings of $48,779 ranking low nationally. Only nursing graduates see strong employment prospects, while other majors face limited local job markets in Abilene.