Waco, TX · Private University
Is Baylor University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$65,793
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$54,844
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$54,844
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$219,376
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.20x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
80.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$41,942
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Baylor University graduates earn $20,793 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Baylor University ranked by graduate earnings
31 graduates
35 graduates
112 graduates
36 graduates
22 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Baylor University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Baylor University, the gap between the highest-earning major (General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations: $129,286) and the lowest (Public Health: $23,096) is $106,190/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing OperationsBest ROI | $129,286 | 2.4x |
| Computer Science | $94,244 | 1.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $93,275 | 1.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $92,181 | 1.7x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $90,608 | 1.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $86,622 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,751 | 1.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $80,617 | 1.5x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $78,948 | 1.4x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $78,193 | 1.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,804 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $69,489 | 1.3x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $67,847 | 1.2x |
| International Business | $62,473 | 1.1x |
| Mathematics | $60,983 | 1.1x |
| Marketing | $59,964 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,016 | 1.1x |
| Real Estate(1yr data) | $57,834 | 1.1x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $57,805 | 1.1x |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $57,352 | 1.1x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $56,399 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,270 | 1.0x |
| Journalism | $51,918 | 0.9x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $51,121 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $51,043 | 0.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,913 | 0.9x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $50,312 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $49,823 | 0.9x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $48,704 | 0.9x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $48,234 | 0.9x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $47,493 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $47,072 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,595 | 0.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $46,487 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $46,051 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $45,846 | 0.8x |
| Sociology | $41,408 | 0.8x |
| History | $39,874 | 0.7x |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $39,495 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $34,649 | 0.6x |
| Anthropology | $33,672 | 0.6x |
| Music | $33,026 | 0.6x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General(1yr data) | $30,687 | 0.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $28,007 | 0.5x |
| Public HealthLowest(1yr data) | $23,096 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor University | 1.20x | $65,793 | Average ROI |
| Texas Christian University | 1.20x | $68,424 | Average ROI |
| Southern Methodist University | 1.22x | $78,354 | Average ROI |
| Southwestern University | 1.11x | $56,878 | Average ROI |
| Chapman University | 1.12x | $70,070 | Average ROI |
| University of Dallas | 1.15x | $58,285 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Baylor University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $65,793 10 years after starting — $20,793 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.