Saint Edward's University
Austin, Texas · Private Nonprofit · 81.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 54/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Saint Edward's University scores 54 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. This Catholic liberal arts university in Austin, Texas, charges $51,384 in sticker tuition with a net price of $25,578. Average 6-year earnings of $41,200 and a 62.6% completion rate are the headline concerns. Computer Science (21 graduates, $76,093 year-one, $87,890 year-four, ROI grade B) and Accounting (24 graduates, $59,382 year-one, $83,957 year-four, ROI grade B) are the strongest programs. Drama/Theatre Arts (14 graduates) earns an F-grade ROI with a 1.633 debt-to-earnings ratio and $15,925 year-one earnings. The Austin location provides a structural advantage for business and technology-track students that may not be fully captured in the Scorecard's 6-year earnings window, but it does not change the 62.6% completion rate risk. Repayment rate of 72.6% at three years indicates a meaningful share of graduates are struggling with debt. Pell grant rate of 42.4% indicates a substantial low- to middle-income student population.
Saint Edward's University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $51,384/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $51,384/yr |
| Average net price | $25,578/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $102,312 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,826 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,803 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $263 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 62.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,493 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $51,384/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $25,578/year, or roughly $102,312 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $20,799/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $38,389/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $24,803, which works out to about $263 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($41,200) and comes to 0.60, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,799 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,136 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,944 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,687 |
| $110,001+ | $38,389 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $20,799 per year at Saint Edward's. Four years at $20,799 totals $83,196. The 42.4% Pell rate indicates many students in this bracket receive maximum aid. Against average 6-year earnings of $41,200 and a 62.6% completion rate, the financial case depends entirely on program selection and completion. CS and accounting students who complete have a defensible path; theatre and social science students face a harder road.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $22,944 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $26,687. Middle-income families pay $91,776-$106,748 over four years. At these costs and with the 62.6% completion rate, the decision requires confidence in both program choice and persistence to graduation. The Austin labor market premium for tech and business graduates is the key variable that may improve on the institutional median.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $38,389 per year, totaling $153,556 over four years. For CS or finance students, the Austin market could produce year-one earnings that recover cost in 2-3 years. For theatre, communication, or social science students, full pay at Saint Edward's creates a payback situation that extends well into the student's 30s.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Saint Edward's University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $53,373 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,706 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,558 | D |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,297 | D |
| Marketing | $80,562 | C+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $61,741 | C |
| Biology | $60,546 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $66,986 | C |
| Accounting | $83,957 | B |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $50,936 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is Saint Edward's strongest program: 21 graduates, $76,093 year-one, $87,890 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.368 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $28,000 at $76k year-one is a 0.37 ratio - manageable. The Austin tech ecosystem (Dell, Apple, Tesla, Oracle, Google) creates direct placement opportunities for CS graduates from Saint Edward's that are not available to similar programs in other cities. The four-year figure of $87,890 is solid for a small Catholic liberal arts CS program.
Accounting
Accounting (24 graduates) earns $59,382 year-one and $83,957 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.421 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $25,000 at $59k year-one is a 0.42 ratio. Accounting graduates in the Austin market benefit from strong regional CPA firm demand and a growing corporate presence. The four-year figure of $83,957 reflects advancement to senior associate or manager-level roles.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (18 graduates) earns $55,177 year-one and $90,286 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.400 (ROI grade B). The four-year jump from $55k to $90k reflects Austin's corporate growth - finance roles in the expanding Texas capital are growing as HQs relocate. Median debt of $22,062 at $55k year-one is manageable. Small volume means the figures carry noise.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama/Theatre Arts (14 graduates) earns $15,925 year-one and $47,974 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.633 (ROI grade F). Median debt of $26,000 is 163% of year-one earnings. Austin's live music and performance scene does not translate into immediate earnings for drama graduates. The four-year figure of $47,974 shows long-run recovery, but early-career financial stress is real. Students committed to performing arts should plan explicitly for debt management or alternative income in the first several years.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 66.7% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.6% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.5% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 72.1% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Saint Edward's University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 470-610 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 500-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-28 |
| Enrollment | 2,493 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,902 |
At 81.4%, Saint Edward's is broadly accessible. SAT 470-610 Math and 500-630 Reading, ACT 22-28, reflect a wide range of academic preparation. The Austin market creates career opportunities for students in technology, business, and arts.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Saint Edward's primary advantage is its Austin campus culture and smaller class sizes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Edward's University (this school) | 54 | $25,578 | $58,826 |
| Augsburg University | 53 | $23,873 | $58,829 |
| Otterbein University | 53 | $19,237 | $53,313 |
| The University of Findlay | 52 | $27,221 | $56,996 |
| Abilene Christian University | 51 | $26,182 | $55,736 |
| Arlington Baptist University | 14 | $24,906 | $44,644 |
Who Thrives Here
Saint Edward's admits 81.4% of applicants with SAT ranges of 470-610 Math and 500-630 Reading; ACT 22-28. At 2,493 enrolled, it is a small Catholic liberal arts university. The Pell rate of 42.4% reflects a mixed-income student body with significant financial need. Saint Edward's Austin location is its primary differentiator - the city's tech and creative economy creates internship and employment opportunities for business, computer science, and media students. Students who want a Catholic liberal arts experience in a vibrant mid-size city find the campus competitive with similar-cost alternatives.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Saint Edward's University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $25,578 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $58,826 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 10.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
Median debt of $24,803 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $41,200 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Saint Edward's University: Common Questions
Is Saint Edward's University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Saint Edward's University scores 54/100 on our ROI scale. At $25,578 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $58,826 ten years after entry, so it takes about 10.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Saint Edward's University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $25,578 a year, or roughly $102,312 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Saint Edward's University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $58,826 ten years after enrolling, roughly $17,026 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Saint Edward's University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 10.2 years for Saint Edward's University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Saint Edward's University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $24,803, against average earnings of $41,200 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Saint Edward's University?
The six-year graduation rate is 62.6%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.