Students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor achieve meaningful economic mobility, with low-income graduates earning significantly more than peers at similar institutions nationwide.
The university's 0% default rate and strong outcomes for first-generation students demonstrate its effectiveness in supporting diverse learners toward financial stability.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is a private nonprofit institution in Belton, Texas, that combines Christian values with practical career preparation. As a medium-sized university, UMHB provides a more intimate educational experience while maintaining strong outcomes in key professional fields. The institution serves a diverse student body, with 37% of students receiving Pell Grants and 32% being first-generation college students, demonstrating its commitment to accessibility despite its private status.
UMHB's graduates earn a median of $56,132 ten years after enrollment, placing the university around the national average for long-term earnings. What distinguishes UMHB is its focus on career-oriented programs, particularly in nursing and healthcare, where graduates consistently achieve strong financial outcomes. The university's nursing program stands out as a particular strength, producing 156 graduates annually with median earnings of $61,643.
As a "Mobility Engine" institution, UMHB successfully combines broad access with meaningful upward mobility for students from diverse backgrounds. The university's Christian mission and Texas location create a distinctive educational environment that appeals to students seeking both academic preparation and values-based education in a supportive community setting.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven approach to career preparation, with particular strength in healthcare and service professions. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the largest program with 156 graduates and the highest-earning field at $61,643 median income. This program represents UMHB's flagship offering, combining substantial enrollment with strong financial outcomes that drive the university's overall economic performance.
Business Administration provides solid middle-class outcomes with 30 graduates earning around $43,426, while Applied Behavior Analysis, despite lower early earnings at $25,194, prepares students for meaningful work in special education and therapeutic services. These programs reflect UMHB's emphasis on careers that combine financial stability with service to others, aligning with the university's Christian mission.
The concentration in healthcare and education creates a focused but effective program mix that serves both student career goals and community needs. UMHB's graduates enter fields with strong job security and predictable advancement opportunities, making the university particularly valuable for students seeking stable, purpose-driven careers rather than maximum earning potential.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $56,132 ten years after enrollment. While this places the university around the national average for earnings, UMHB's strength lies in preparing students for stable, meaningful careers in service-oriented fields. The university's focus on practical, career-ready programs helps ensure graduates enter fields with consistent demand and reliable earning potential.
The strongest financial returns come from UMHB's nursing program, which represents the university's flagship offering. Adult Health Nursing graduates earn a median of $61,643 and account for 156 graduates annually, making it both the largest and highest-earning program. Business Administration graduates earn around $43,426, providing solid middle-class outcomes for the 30 students who complete this program each year. Applied Behavior Analysis, while showing lower early earnings at $25,194, prepares students for meaningful work in special education and therapeutic services, fields that often require additional certification but offer strong job security and personal fulfillment.
UMHB's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven approach, emphasizing healthcare, education, and service professions that align with the university's Christian values. This focus on stable, community-oriented careers provides graduates with predictable earning trajectories and strong job security, even if absolute earnings levels are more moderate compared to institutions emphasizing high-paying corporate or technical fields.
Affordability at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor reflects the typical pricing structure of private nonprofit institutions, with net prices that are higher than public alternatives but include substantial financial aid. Low-income students pay approximately $25,906 annually, while middle-income families see similar costs at $25,729, indicating that UMHB provides significant need-based aid to make attendance possible for students from modest backgrounds. High-income families pay around $33,693, which represents the fuller cost of private education but remains competitive within the private university market.
Debt levels at UMHB are manageable relative to the institution's private status and graduate outcomes. Typical students graduate with $26,000 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable amount given the university's median earnings of $56,132. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $22,524, reflecting family contributions that help keep student debt at sustainable levels. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations after graduation.
What makes UMHB's pricing sustainable is the combination of strong financial aid for lower-income students and career preparation that leads to stable employment. The university's focus on healthcare, education, and other service professions means graduates enter fields with predictable hiring patterns and steady income growth, making debt repayment feasible even with the higher borrowing levels typical of private education.
University Of Mary Hardin-Baylor Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
