University of the Incarnate Word
- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,733 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,775 D+
- 33% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,314,598.
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 39% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.83% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of the Incarnate Word Matters
University of the Incarnate Word is a private doctoral / professional university in San Antonio, 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 Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 4,440
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 30
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology
Why students choose University of the Incarnate Word
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
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,775 a year after grants and scholarships — 33% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,733 ten years after enrolling — 39% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 13% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.58 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 98%, the University of the Incarnate Word is an accessible choice for students who value a supportive environment. This school is particularly well-suited for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Psychology, among others. The emphasis on practical, career-oriented programs helps students prepare for the job market while fostering a sense of community.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $56,733 a year within a decade. This figure indicates that many graduates find stability and success in their chosen careers. Financially, the university is relatively affordable, especially considering that 45% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help ease the burden of tuition costs.
When it comes to the bottom line, the average net price after financial aid is about $22,775, with a median debt load of $27,000 for those who take out loans. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a nurturing atmosphere and are eager to engage in their studies. The university's focus on student success and career readiness makes it a solid choice for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields.
Rankings
- #21 Best Nursing Colleges in Texas
- #22 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
- #29 Best MBA Programs in Texas
- #32 Best Biology Colleges in Texas
- #33 Best Psychology Colleges in Texas
- #34 Best Business Colleges in Texas
- #34 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
- #39 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas
Can I Get In?
How selective University of the Incarnate Word 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 University of the Incarnate Word? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of the Incarnate Word, located in San Antonio, Texas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,001
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
- Applicants
- 9,625
- Admitted
- 9,067
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of the Incarnate Word is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 9% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 9%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 26%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 6%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 32% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
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 University of the Incarnate Word? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of the Incarnate Word is $37,090, 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 $22,775. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,260 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,090
- Out-of-State
- $37,090
- Avg Net Price
- $22,775
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,260
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,487
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,950
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,539
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 University of the Incarnate Word — 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 University of the Incarnate Word Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of the Incarnate Word earn a median of $56,733, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,625
- 8 Years
- $52,962
- 10 Years
- $56,733
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (299)
- 33%
- 100% (299)
- 33%
- 100% (299)
- 33%
- 100% (299)
- 33%
How University 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 University of the Incarnate Word Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of the Incarnate Word delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,775/year ($91,100 total). Graduates earn $56,733 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,405,698 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,314,598 (15.4× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $91,100
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,405,698
- Net Return
- $1,314,598
- ROI Multiple
- 15.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,775
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
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 University of the Incarnate Word Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of the Incarnate Word 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 2.83%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.6% 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 19.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.83%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $94,970
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-6,652,054
Top Programs
The fields University of the Incarnate Word 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 24% $69,504 early-career
- Business & Marketing 21% $56,502 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 10% $35,271 early-career
- Psychology 8% $36,660 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $33,058 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $41,840 early-career
- Social Sciences 3%
- Education 3% $49,387 early-career
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 University of the Incarnate Word'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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of the Incarnate Word? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of the Incarnate Word, located in San Antonio, Texas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of the Incarnate Word? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of the Incarnate Word is $37,090, 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 $22,775. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,260 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of the Incarnate Word Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of the Incarnate Word earn a median of $56,733, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of the Incarnate Word Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of the Incarnate Word 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 2.83%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.6% 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 19.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of the Incarnate Word? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of the Incarnate Word. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, 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.
Does University of the Incarnate Word offer Early Decision?
No. University of the Incarnate Word does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of the Incarnate Word really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 32% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of the Incarnate Word (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of the Incarnate Word?
About 9% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of the Incarnate Word — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of the Incarnate Word.
- Salem State UniversitySalem, MA · Close peer52% grad $56,662 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg, PA · Close peer54% grad $56,351 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Mary Hardin-BaylorBelton, TX · Close peer51% grad $56,132 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN · Close peer44% grad $55,813 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH · Close peer50% grad $57,304 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA · Close peer44% grad $56,148 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of the Incarnate Word? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of the Incarnate Word. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, 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