Head-to-Head Analysis
This analysis was generated using Azimuth's proprietary framework. Our data model transforms federal education data into actionable insights. Learn about founder Daniel Rogers, explore our research methodology, or see how we think about this data.
Updated January 2026 • Abilene, TX & Emmitsburg, MD
When students choose between Mount St. Mary's University and Abilene Christian University, they're comparing two private institutions with different missions and markets.
Mount St. Mary's, a small Catholic university in Maryland's mountains, serves a more traditional college population.
ACU, a medium-sized Christian university in Texas, emphasizes accessibility with open admission and serves 60% Pell grant recipients. The earnings premium gap reveals ACU's stronger institutional effectiveness despite lower raw outcomes.
Median Student Debt at Graduation
$24,250
federal loans
$25,391
federal loans
Median Parent PLUS Loans
$26,542
borrowed by parents
$42,721
borrowed by parents
Both schools are predominantly business-focused, with Mount St. Mary's producing 24% business graduates and ACU 27%.
Mount St. Mary's program mix includes 24% Business, 13% Social Sciences, and 6% Education, with the largest programs being General Business (84 graduates), Biology (32), and Criminology (24).
ACU's largest programs include Kinesiology (72 graduates), Finance (71), and Nursing (67), reflecting a more professionally-oriented curriculum. This program composition helps explain the earnings differences between institutions.
For students prioritizing maximum earnings potential and can manage higher costs, Mount St. Mary's delivers $8,336 more in median earnings despite below-expectation performance.
ACU offers exceptional value for money, achieving strong outcomes while serving a challenging student population and keeping total family debt manageable. The data points to different strengths: Mount St.
Mary's for higher absolute earnings, ACU for institutional effectiveness and affordability. The right choice depends on your family's financial capacity, geographic preferences, and whether you value raw outcomes versus value-added institutional performance.
Key Takeaway
The numbers are close, but the best school depends on your goals, values, and career aspirations.
This comparison was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
This comparison uses Azimuth's proprietary ROI model based on U.S. Dept. of Education data. View Full Methodology.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid.
