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 & San Antonio, TX
When students choose between Abilene Christian University and St. Mary's University, they're comparing two Texas private universities that produce similar earnings but serve very different student populations.
Both schools focus heavily on business programs and maintain broad access admission policies. However, the data reveals a striking difference in institutional effectiveness: ACU achieves comparable outcomes while serving significantly more low-income students.
The question becomes which school delivers better value for the investment.
Median Student Debt at Graduation
$24,250
federal loans
$25,563
federal loans
Median Parent PLUS Loans
$26,542
borrowed by parents
$16,723
borrowed by parents
ACU is predominantly business-focused, with 27% of graduates earning degrees in business fields. St.
Mary's has a more balanced mix between business (22%) and social sciences (15%). ACU's largest programs include Sports/Kinesiology (72 graduates), Finance (71), and Nursing (67).
St. Mary's concentrates on Psychology (45 graduates), Biology (42), and Political Science (40).
Both schools emphasize business and finance programs, but ACU also maintains strong health science offerings that contribute to career outcomes.
For students prioritizing institutional effectiveness and affordability, ACU delivers superior value through its combination of lower costs and stronger outcomes relative to student demographics. St.
Mary's offers San Antonio location and strength in psychology and biology programs, making it the better choice for students drawn to those specific fields and urban setting. The data points to ACU as the stronger overall value — it costs less, serves more challenging student populations, yet produces comparable career outcomes.
However, the right choice depends on your program interests, location preferences, and family financial circumstances. If cost and institutional effectiveness matter most, ACU is the clear winner.
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.
