Abilene Christian University combines open admission with exceptional earnings beyond expectations performance, ranking at the 93.5th percentile nationally. As an Opportunity Builders institution, the university serves diverse student populations while delivering $18,627 in earnings uplift above predicted outcomes based on student demographics.
With well above average results, driven by strong earnings beyond expectations relative to student demographics
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and moderate debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's commitment to serving Pell-eligible and transfer student populations
With modestly below average performance, indicating room for improvement in combining access with economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top-tier earnings beyond expectations performance
Abilene Christian University ranks #347 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with access performance at the 97.8th percentile nationally. Located in Abilene, Texas, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains open admission standards with a 100% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Abilene Christian University enrolls 59.9% Pell-eligible students and 24.5% first-generation students, placing it well above typical institutions on access measures. The university serves a predominantly transfer student population, with 88.9% of enrolled students having transferred from other institutions.
Graduates earn $18,627 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 93.5th percentile nationally for this critical uplift measure. Median earnings reach $55,736 ten years after enrollment, placing Abilene Christian University in the 59.0th percentile for long-term earnings.
This combination of open admissions, exceptional access, and strong earnings beyond expectations places Abilene Christian University within the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions serve diverse student populations while delivering meaningful economic advancement.
Abilene Christian University demonstrates exceptional value through its ability to generate earnings beyond expectations for its student population. Graduates earn $18,627 more than predicted based on their backgrounds, placing the institution at the 93.5th percentile nationally on this measure.
This represents top-tier performance in converting educational access into economic uplift. Median earnings of $55,736 ten years after enrollment reflect above-average outcomes, with earnings ranging from $36,361 at the 25th percentile to $80,010 at the 75th percentile.
Students seeking accessible higher education with strong earnings outcomes relative to expectations, particularly those interested in business, health professions, and exercise science. Well-suited for diverse student populations including Pell-eligible students (59.9%) and transfer students (88.9%) looking for an institution that delivers meaningful career advancement despite open admission policies.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
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.
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This is the Abilene Christian University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/abilene-christian-university/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Abilene Christian University's published cost of attendance reaches $19,042 annually, but the average student pays significantly less after financial aid. The sticker price breaks down to $14,520 in tuition, with additional costs for books and supplies of $1,250.
However, the average net price after all financial aid is $12,714, representing savings of $6,328 per student. This reduction demonstrates substantial financial aid support, making the private nonprofit education more accessible than the published price suggests.
Net costs vary considerably by family income, ranging from $12,740 for the lowest-income students to $17,857 for highest-income families. Compared to peer institutions with a median net price of $27,143, Abilene Christian University offers significant savings of $14,429 annually.
This affordability advantage positions the university as a value option among private nonprofit institutions, particularly for students from moderate and lower-income families seeking private university benefits without the typical premium pricing.
Abilene Christian University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time. Median earnings increase from $46,727 six years after enrollment to $52,257 at eight years and $55,736 at ten years, representing 19.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,316 graduates, providing strong confidence in the reported figures. The institution generates $18,627 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Abilene Christian University at the 93.5th percentile for earnings uplift performance.
This represents top-tier effectiveness in translating educational opportunity into economic advancement. Low-income graduates earn $44,900, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the gap between the 25th percentile ($36,361) and 75th percentile ($80,010) reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 31.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry across the institution's diverse program portfolio.
Abilene Christian University maintains an open admission policy, accepting 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements. This places the institution among the most accessible four-year universities in the United States, contrasting sharply with the peer median admission rate of 70.6%.
Open admission means that virtually all students who complete the application process and meet minimum academic standards receive acceptance. This accessibility reflects the university's mission to serve diverse student populations, including those who may not have access to more selective institutions.
For prospective students, this means that admission decisions focus primarily on meeting basic requirements rather than competitive selection among applicants. Students should view Abilene Christian University as a reliable admission option while considering whether the academic environment and outcomes align with their educational goals.
The university's open admission policy enables it to serve as a pathway to higher education for students who might otherwise face barriers to college access, including first-generation college students and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
50 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
71 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
67 graduates
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist.
25 graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
72 graduates
Abilene Christian University offers 12 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Accounting Technology ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Texas, producing 50 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $91,013 and a value score of 97.1.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #49 nationally and #4 in Texas, graduating 71 students with median earnings of $78,790. Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #27 nationally and #4 in Texas, representing the institution's largest program with 72 graduates earning $55,898.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #241 nationally and #20 in Texas, graduating 67 students with median earnings of $65,914. Psychology ranks #93 nationally and #6 in Texas, with 45 graduates earning $48,543.
These programs demonstrate the institution's strength in applied professional fields, with several achieving top rankings within Texas and strong national recognition for career preparation and graduate outcomes.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorado College Similar quality tier (#651 ranked) | CO | 20% | $65,222 | #651 | Compare |
Hamilton College Similar quality tier (#646 ranked) | NY | 12% | $78,411 | #646 | Compare |
Saint Joseph's University Similar quality tier (#654 ranked) | PA | 86% | $86,881 | #654 | Compare |
Clarkson University Similar quality tier (#641 ranked) | NY | 77% | $89,696 | #641 | Compare |
University Of Charleston Similar quality tier (#638 ranked) | WV | 65% | $55,774 | #638 | Compare |
