Students at the University of the Incarnate Word achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning more than $10,000 above what similar students earn at comparable institutions nationwide.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong outcomes for low-income students, demonstrates UIW's effectiveness as a mobility-focused institution that delivers meaningful economic returns.
The University of the Incarnate Word is a mid-sized private nonprofit university in San Antonio that delivers meaningful value through its combination of accessibility and strong student outcomes. As a designated "Mobility Engine," UIW successfully serves a diverse student body where 43% receive Pell Grants and 43% are first-generation college students, yet still helps graduates achieve earnings that exceed expectations by more than $10,000 compared with similar students at other institutions.
What makes UIW distinctive is how it balances access with results. Despite admitting students from a wide range of academic and economic backgrounds, the university maintains solid graduation rates and produces graduates who earn a median of $56,733 ten years after enrollment. This performance reflects UIW's focus on practical, career-oriented programs in high-demand fields like nursing, business administration, and health sciences, combined with the personalized support that comes with a medium-sized private institution.
Located in San Antonio, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in Texas, UIW provides students with access to a diverse economy spanning healthcare, business services, technology, and military contracting. The university's emphasis on professional preparation, combined with its strong track record of supporting first-generation and low-income students through to graduation, makes it a compelling option for families seeking both accessibility and meaningful career outcomes.
The University of the Incarnate Word's program portfolio reflects its focus on practical, career-oriented education that prepares students for in-demand fields. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program with 206 graduates and the highest aggregate return generator, despite individual earnings around $44,021 that reflect the broad applicability of business skills across sectors. Adult Health Nursing, with 91 graduates, delivers some of the strongest individual earnings at $58,496, capitalizing on San Antonio's robust healthcare sector and the growing demand for specialized nursing professionals.
Executive and Career Coaching programs demonstrate UIW's innovative approach to professional development, graduating 57 students who earn solid mid-career salaries of $47,553. This reflects the university's understanding of emerging career fields and its ability to develop programs that meet evolving workforce needs. Biology, while showing more modest early earnings around $27,822, serves as a foundation for many students pursuing graduate education in healthcare, research, or related fields.
The concentration in healthcare and business programs aligns well with San Antonio's economic strengths and growth sectors. As a medium-sized institution, UIW provides students with meaningful faculty interaction and career support while maintaining program scale sufficient for employer recognition and alumni networking. This balance helps explain why graduates across programs can achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations for similar institutions nationwide.
Graduates of the University of the Incarnate Word achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $56,733 ten years after enrollment. What makes these results particularly impressive is that UIW graduates earn about $10,151 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value beyond what would be expected based on student backgrounds and institutional characteristics. This earnings advantage places UIW among institutions that consistently help students outperform financial expectations.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly by field of study. Business Administration and Management, UIW's largest program with 206 graduates, produces the highest aggregate return despite more moderate individual earnings of around $44,021. Adult Health Nursing graduates, representing 91 students, achieve some of the strongest individual earnings at $58,496, reflecting the high demand for healthcare professionals in San Antonio's growing medical sector. Executive and Career Coaching programs show solid mid-career earnings of $47,553, while Biology graduates typically start with more modest earnings around $27,822 but often use their degrees as stepping stones to graduate school or specialized healthcare roles.
The university's location in San Antonio provides graduates with access to a diverse and growing job market. As one of the largest cities in Texas, San Antonio offers opportunities across healthcare systems, military contracting, business services, and emerging technology sectors, helping explain why UIW graduates can achieve earnings that consistently exceed national expectations for similar institutions.
The University of the Incarnate Word maintains relatively accessible pricing for a private institution, with net costs that vary meaningfully by family income level. Low-income students typically pay about $17,434 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $20,732, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,584. These price points reflect UIW's commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining the resources and support systems of a private university.
Debt levels at UIW are manageable for most graduates given their earning potential. Students typically leave with about $27,000 in federal loan debt, which aligns well with the university's median graduate earnings of $56,733. Families who choose to contribute through Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $20,871, a moderate level that reflects the university's efforts to keep total family borrowing within reasonable bounds. The combination of solid earnings and moderate debt levels means most UIW graduates can handle standard loan repayment without significant financial strain.
What makes UIW's affordability story particularly strong is the university's track record with loan repayment. Graduates demonstrate healthy repayment patterns, with borrowers consistently paying down balances faster than national averages in the early post-graduation years. This performance reflects both the practical, career-focused nature of UIW's programs and the university's success in preparing students for stable employment in growing sectors of the San Antonio economy.
University Of The Incarnate Word Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
