Howard Payne University
- Graduation Rate
- 30% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,376 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $23,627 D+
- 38% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 67% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,218,724.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 30% — 48% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.13% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Howard Payne University Matters
Howard Payne University is a private college in Brownwood, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 713
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI · 54
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Social Sciences
Why students choose Howard Payne 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 67% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 880–1160. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,627 a year after grants and scholarships — 38% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,376 ten years after enrolling — 19% above the typical college, against $26,793 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 25% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 713 students and a 67% acceptance rate, Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX, caters to those looking for a close-knit community and a personalized educational experience. Students can dive into programs in Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Psychology, making it a solid choice for those pursuing careers in these fields. The smaller size means more attention from faculty and a supportive environment, which can be crucial for many learners.
After graduation, students can expect a 10-year earnings average of $48,376. This means graduates are earning a decent living compared to some other institutions. For those navigating the job market, this figure highlights the potential for financial stability. However, it’s important to consider the affordability of their education, especially for those who rely on financial aid, as 44% of students receive Pell Grants.
When it comes to the practical side of attending Howard Payne, the net price after aid stands at $23,627, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $26,793. This balance of cost and debt is important as students weigh their options. Those who thrive here often appreciate the intimate learning environment and the focus on community, making it a great fit for individuals seeking a supportive college experience as they prepare for their careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Howard Payne 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 Howard Payne University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Brownwood, Texas, Howard Payne University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,026. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Retention Rate
- 52%
- SAT Average
- 1026
- SAT Range
- 880–1160
- ACT Range
- 16–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,842
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 1,233
- Admitted
- 768
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 Howard Payne University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Howard Payne University is $34,982, 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 $23,627. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,043 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,793 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,982
- Out-of-State
- $34,982
- Avg Net Price
- $23,627
- Median Debt
- $26,793
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $24,043
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,423
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $25,917
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,182
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 Howard Payne 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 Howard Payne University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Howard Payne University earn a median of $48,376, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,212
- 8 Years
- $43,270
- 10 Years
- $48,376
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.55x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (77)
- 26%
- 100% (77)
- 26%
- 100% (77)
- 26%
- 100% (77)
- 26%
How Howard 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 Howard Payne University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Howard Payne University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,627/year ($94,508 total). Graduates earn $48,376 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,313,232 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,218,724 (13.9× your investment). The median debt is $26,793, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 30% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $94,508
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,313,232
- Net Return
- $1,218,724
- ROI Multiple
- 13.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,627
- Median Debt
- $26,793
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
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 Howard Payne University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Howard Payne 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 2.13%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.13%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $94,019
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,841,225
- Investment Income
- $2,582,291
Top Programs
The fields Howard Payne 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.
- Health Professions 16%
- Business & Marketing 14% $44,638 early-career
- Education 14% $40,390 early-career
- Social Sciences 9% $38,691 early-career
- Psychology 9% $22,433 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Legal Studies 3%
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 Howard Payne 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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Howard Payne University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Brownwood, Texas, Howard Payne University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,026. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Howard Payne University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Howard Payne University is $34,982, 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 $23,627. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,043 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,793 in federal student loans.
Is Howard Payne University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Howard Payne University earn a median of $48,376, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Howard Payne University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Howard Payne 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 2.13%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Howard Payne 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 Howard Payne University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), 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 Howard Payne University.
- Bluefield UniversityBluefield, VA · Close peer22% grad $48,896 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cleary UniversityHowell, MI · Close peer41% grad $54,186 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Thiel CollegeGreenville, PA · Close peer46% grad $49,714 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Huntingdon CollegeMontgomery, AL · Close peer47% grad $49,601 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Webber International UniversityBabson Park, FL · Close peer27% grad $45,606 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville, KY · Close peer34% grad $42,002 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Howard Payne 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 Howard Payne University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), 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