Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, Texas · Private Nonprofit · 56.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 38/100 · Poor Value
Wayland Baptist University earns an ROI score of 38 out of 100, landing in the Poor Value tier. The financial picture is mixed: $23,782 sticker tuition, $20,590 net price after aid, and an $82,360 four-year all-in are all moderate. Graduates earn $41,300 six years out and $51,838 at ten years, with $23,106 median debt and a 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio just below the federal warning line. The 13.2-year payback period is in line with private regional peers. The dramatic drag on the score is a 19.3% completion rate, the worst among the major peers in our database and a sign of acute structural problems. Wayland operates an extensive military-base extension network (the school has 12+ campuses near military installations), and the very low completion likely reflects students who use Wayland as a transcript stepping stone rather than completing a degree there. Repayment rate of 60.9% is also concerning. The criminal justice and business pipelines have reasonable individual outcomes; the institutional aggregate is dragged down by the completion catastrophe.
The data raises concerns about Wayland Baptist University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score38/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate19.3% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Wayland Baptist University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $23,782/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $23,782/yr |
| Average net price | $20,590/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $82,360 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,838 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,106 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $245 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 19.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,041 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Wayland Baptist University is $23,782/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,590/year, or roughly $82,360 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $20,070/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,435/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,106 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $245 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $51,838 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.56 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $20,070 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,344 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,949 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,542 |
| $110,001+ | $25,435 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $20,070, and the $30,001-$48,000 band drops to $16,344, the lowest in the grid (notable inversion). Combined with Pell Grant eligibility, lower-middle families face roughly $65,000 over four years, a workable figure against $51,838 ten-year earnings if the student finishes.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 band pays $19,949 and the $75,001-$110,000 band rises to $21,542. Middle-income families face roughly $80,000-$86,000 in four-year cost. Texas public alternatives (Texas Tech especially nearby in Lubbock) would offer dramatically better financial math.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $25,435, modestly above sticker after fees layer in. Over four years, high-income families absorb roughly $102,000 in cost. For these families, the decision turns on Baptist tradition fit; the financial case versus Texas Tech or Texas A&M is genuinely difficult to make.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Wayland Baptist University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,250 | C+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $53,900 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,805 | C+ |
| Human Services, General | $48,921 | D |
| Teacher Education | $47,700 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $70,789 | C |
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.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Wayland's largest program by graduates at 202, reflecting the school's heavy adult-learner and military-base extension enrollment. First-year earnings of $51,763 climb to $67,250 at four years, with $28,022 median debt producing a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ ROI grade. Strong earnings reflect that many graduates are working professionals already; the bachelor's credential is a step up in their existing careers.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates 96 students with $44,688 first-year and $53,900 four-year earnings. Median debt of $24,258 produces a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ grade. This program is heavily used at military base extension campuses where active-duty servicemembers complete general bachelor's credentials. Solid outcomes given the typical student profile.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice graduates 72 students with $53,038 first-year and $57,805 four-year earnings. Median debt of $25,000 produces a 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ grade, one of Wayland's strongest results. Earnings reflect many graduates already in law enforcement or military police using the credential for promotion eligibility. A defensible pathway.
Human Services, General
Human Services graduates 48 students with $33,082 first-year and $48,921 four-year earnings. Median debt of $27,258 produces a 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. Human services pay is structurally weak across Texas; graduates typically work in county social services, nonprofit settings, or church-affiliated community programs. Mission-driven choice rather than financially driven.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 35 students with $38,397 first-year and $47,700 four-year earnings. Median debt of $31,694 (notably high) produces a 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D grade. Texas teacher pay is moderate and varies sharply by district; the high debt against modest earnings creates real friction. PSLF for public school teachers helps long-term.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 54.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 60.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 55.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 63.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 56.0% |
| Enrollment | 2,041 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 45.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,999 |
Wayland Baptist admits 55.9% of applicants, indicating moderate selectivity that masks the school's enrollment-heavy military extension network. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported in current Scorecard data. The 19.3% completion rate is the binding constraint and reflects the dominance of part-time, transient military and adult-learner enrollment at the school's extension campuses; main-campus traditional students likely see substantially higher completion rates than the institutional aggregate suggests.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Wayland Baptist's peer set is mostly Baptist or religious-tradition institutions. Abilene Christian University, also in Texas, is much larger and posts substantially stronger ROI given its more selective profile. Arlington Baptist University is a closer peer with similar small-Baptist mission, scoring in the same Poor Value band. Felician University in NJ, Alvernia University in PA, and United Talmudical Seminary are all small specialized religious institutions. Within Texas Baptist higher education, Wayland underperforms Baylor and Hardin-Simmons significantly.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayland Baptist University (this school) | 38 | $20,590 | $51,838 |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University | 39 | $28,354 | $49,232 |
| Carson-Newman University | 39 | $20,251 | $48,382 |
| Huntington University | 38 | $19,310 | $46,672 |
| Houghton University | 38 | $20,519 | $46,721 |
| Cornerstone University | 37 | $20,301 | $47,314 |
Who Thrives Here
Wayland Baptist enrolls 2,041 students on the books with a 45.7% Pell rate, indicating a working-class student body, with a substantial portion attending part-time at military base extension campuses across the U.S. The fit profile is bifurcated: traditional Plainview, TX main-campus students drawn to the Baptist tradition and small-college experience, and active-duty military or veteran adult learners using GI Bill or tuition assistance to complete credits. The 19.3% completion rate reflects the latter group's transient pattern; traditional students may see meaningfully better outcomes than the aggregate suggests.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Wayland Baptist University. With a net cost of $20,590 per year and median graduate earnings of only $51,838 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 13.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 19.3% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $23,106 against $51,838 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.