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 • San Antonio, TX & Plainview, TX
When students choose between St. Mary's University in San Antonio and Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, they're weighing two private Texas institutions with starkly different completion records.
Both schools emphasize business programs and serve similar student populations, but St. Mary's graduates nearly three times as many students who start.
This completion gap overshadows other factors — because outcomes only matter for students who finish their degrees.
Median Student Debt at Graduation
$25,563
federal loans
$23,106
federal loans
Median Parent PLUS Loans
$16,723
borrowed by parents
$12,820
borrowed by parents
St. Mary's is business-focused, with 22% of graduates earning degrees in business fields, followed by 15% in Social Sciences and 10% in Engineering.
The largest programs include Psychology (45 graduates), Biology (42), and Political Science (40). Wayland Baptist concentrates more heavily on business at 39% of graduates, with Business Administration leading at 333 graduates annually.
Both schools prepare students for similar career paths, but program completion depends first on institutional retention and support systems.
For students prioritizing degree completion, St. Mary's delivers three times the graduation rate at a marginally higher cost.
Wayland Baptist offers slightly lower prices and strong outcomes for the few who graduate, making it potentially suitable for highly motivated students who can navigate its completion challenges. The data points to St.
Mary's as the safer choice — the higher completion rate more than justifies the modest cost premium. But the right choice depends on your academic preparedness, support systems, and tolerance for completion risk.
If you're confident in your ability to persist through challenges, either school can work. If you need institutional support to reach the finish line, St.
Mary's provides better odds of success.
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.
