Abilene Christian University
- Graduation Rate
- 60% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,736 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $26,182 D
- 53% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 66% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $13.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,278,854.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 37% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Abilene Christian University Matters
Abilene Christian University is a private doctoral / professional university in Abilene, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 3,195
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 74
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Abilene Christian University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 66% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $26,182 a year after grants and scholarships — 53% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,736 ten years after enrolling — 37% above the typical college, against $24,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 52% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 3,195 students, Abilene Christian University is a solid choice for those looking for a tight-knit community while pursuing degrees in fields like Business, Health Professions, and Communications. The school's acceptance rate of 66% suggests that it welcomes a diverse range of students who are eager to engage in their studies and campus life. The emphasis on practical application and personal growth is evident in the programs offered, making it a good fit for learners who value both academic rigor and a supportive environment.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $55,736 within ten years, which reflects a reasonable return on investment. This earning potential is particularly encouraging for graduates entering fields such as Business and Health Professions. The relatively affordable net price of $26,182 helps keep education within reach, especially for those who may be concerned about post-college financial stability. While 22% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some socio-economic diversity, the overall affordability plays a significant role in the long-term success of graduates.
When considering the financial aspects, the median debt of $24,250 points to a manageable level for many graduates, especially given the potential earnings. Students who thrive here typically appreciate a close community and a balance of academics with personal development. With a graduation rate of 60%, there’s a solid chance of completing a degree, which is essential in today’s job market. We can see that Abilene Christian University supports students not just through their studies, but also in preparing them for a successful transition into their careers.
Rankings
- #16 Best Engineering Colleges in Texas
- #16 Best Online Education Programs in Texas
- #16 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
- #17 Best Communications Colleges in Texas
- #17 Best Online Business Programs in Texas
- #19 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas
- #21 Best Education Colleges in Texas
- #23 Best Online Nursing Programs in Texas
Can I Get In?
How selective Abilene Christian University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Abilene Christian University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Abilene Christian University, located in Abilene, Texas, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 66% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,194. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 66%
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- SAT Average
- 1194
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1070–1270
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,928
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 11,226
- Admitted
- 7,386
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Abilene Christian University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Abilene Christian University is $44,200, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,182. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,285 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $44,200
- Out-of-State
- $44,200
- Avg Net Price
- $26,182
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,285
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,150
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,012
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,763
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Abilene Christian University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Abilene Christian University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $55,736, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,727
- 8 Years
- $52,257
- 10 Years
- $55,736
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (511)
- 53%
- 100% (511)
- 53%
- 100% (511)
- 53%
- 100% (511)
- 53%
How Abilene Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Abilene Christian University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Abilene Christian University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,182/year ($104,728 total). Graduates earn $55,736 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,383,582 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,278,854 (13.2× your investment). The median debt is $24,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 60% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $104,728
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,383,582
- Net Return
- $1,278,854
- ROI Multiple
- 13.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,182
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Abilene Christian University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Abilene Christian University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $101,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.44%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 27.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $137,224
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Abilene Christian University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 17%
- Health Professions 11% $69,535 early-career
- Psychology 9% $33,550 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Education 6%
- Communications 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Abilene Christian University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Abilene Christian University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Abilene Christian University, located in Abilene, Texas, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 66% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,194. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Abilene Christian University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Abilene Christian University is $44,200, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,182. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,285 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
Is Abilene Christian University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $55,736, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Abilene Christian University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Abilene Christian University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $101,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Abilene Christian University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Abilene Christian University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Abilene Christian University.
- Florida Southern CollegeLakeland, FL · Close peer70% grad $55,294 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer56% grad $53,610 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN · Close peer70% grad $55,541 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA · Close peer68% grad $56,778 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, IL · Close peer68% grad $61,462 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · Close peer76% grad $58,375 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Abilene Christian University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Abilene Christian University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note