Liberty University vs Howard Payne University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Liberty University and Howard Payne University are closely matched on financial return. Liberty University scores 28/100 while Howard Payne University scores 27/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Howard Payne University comes in at $23,627 per year (net price after aid) versus $29,357 at Liberty University - a difference of $5,730 annually, or roughly $22,920 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Howard Payne University graduates earn a median of $48,376 compared to $44,813 at Liberty University. The payback period is 26.2 years at Liberty University versus 17.5 years at Howard Payne University.
Graduates leave Liberty University with a median $24,500 in debt versus $26,793 at Howard Payne University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.68 and 0.79 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Liberty University | Howard Payne University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $22,465 | $34,982 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,465 | $34,982 |
| Net Price (avg) | $29,357 | $23,627 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $117,428 | $94,508 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $35,800 | $34,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $44,813 | $48,376 |
| Graduation Rate | 65.3% | 28.0% |
| Payback Period | 26.2 yr | 17.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $24,500 | $26,793 |
| Monthly Payment | $260 | $284 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.68 | 0.79 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 61.2% | 77.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 44.7% | 61.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 99.0% | 67.4% |
| Enrollment | 50,012 | 713 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Liberty University | Howard Payne Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $30,667 | $24,043 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $27,807 | $21,423 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $27,347 | $25,917 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $27,142 | $23,412 |
| $110,001+ | $30,545 | $24,182 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Liberty University | Howard Payne Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,269 | $54,795 |
| Teacher Education | $40,952 | $35,357 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Liberty University | Howard Payne Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 16 | 27 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 20 | 31 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 32 | 16 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 69 | 9 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 19 | 64 |
| Overall ROI Score | 28 | 27 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Liberty University edges out Howard Payne University by 1 points (28 vs 27), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Liberty University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Howard Payne University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.