Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Abilene Christian University #612 for overall value among nonprofit four-year institutions on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,972 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 36.6th percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Abilene Christian University #838 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Abilene Christian University #612 for overall value among nonprofit four-year institutions on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 58.7th percentile. A private doctoral/professional university in Abilene, TX, Abilene Christian University enrolls roughly 3,195 undergraduates. Retention is 80.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 59.0%.
Where Abilene Christian University performs strongest is access. Abilene Christian University sits in the 90.3rd percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university admits about 66.0% of applicants, and the enrolled cohort includes 70.9% Pell Grant recipients and 24.5% first-generation college students.
Return on investment ranks lower in the composite. Azimuth ranks Abilene Christian University #838 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 43.4th percentile. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,305, placing Abilene Christian University in the 39.4th percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,972 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Abilene Christian University in the 36.6th percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Affordability sits at the 34.1st percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For admitted students, Abilene Christian University's published aid guidance commits to meeting demonstrated financial need in full under current financial aid policies, per the financial aid page.
Abilene Christian University's published cost of attendance is $30,295. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $24,283, middle-income families pay around $21,723, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,586. Azimuth ranks Abilene Christian University #940 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a private nonprofit institution, Abilene Christian participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The university's affordability position reflects both the headline cost and the aid structure available to qualifying families. Families should verify current aid policies and application requirements on the institution's financial aid website, as aid packages and eligibility criteria may shift year to year. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,542; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,305, median federal debt of $24,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $274 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Abilene Christian University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a private university experience in TX. The university's program mix leans heavily toward Business, representing 19% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,305, placing Abilene Christian University in the 39.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,972 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 36.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 70.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.5% are first-generation. The 48.2% Pell graduation rate suggests these students find solid academic footing. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 66.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program concentration means students outside Business fields may find fewer peers. Those whose interests align with the dominant programs will find strong outcomes relative to the TX no-degree baseline of $31,626.
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.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Abilene Christian University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Abilene Christian University's published cost of attendance is $30,295. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $24,283, middle-income families pay around $21,723, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,586.
Azimuth ranks Abilene Christian University #940 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
As a private nonprofit institution, Abilene Christian participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The university's affordability position reflects both the headline cost and the aid structure available to qualifying families.
Families should verify current aid policies and application requirements on the institution's financial aid website, as aid packages and eligibility criteria may shift year to year. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,542; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,305, median federal debt of $24,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $274 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Abilene Christian University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,305, placing Abilene Christian University in the 39.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,972 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Abilene Christian University in the 36.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Abilene Christian University #838 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Abilene Christian University's concentration in business and professional fields.
General Studies is the largest program with 52 graduates, anchoring the institution's economic profile. The Psychology, General program graduates 48 students earning median 4-year earnings of $51,705, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field.
The Nursing program graduates 48 students with median 4-year earnings of $89,079, at 1.0x benchmark. Kinesiology and Business Administration round out the top five, with 39 and 39 graduates respectively earning $62,645 and $63,259 four years after enrollment.
This program-level diversity, anchored in Business, supports solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates across multiple career pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Creighton University Similar quality tier (#16360 ranked) | NE | 80% | $73,911 | #16360 | Compare |
Hood College Similar quality tier (#16362 ranked) | MD | 78% | $57,089 | #16362 | Compare |
Barnard College Similar quality tier (#16363 ranked) | NY | 9% | $80,516 | #16363 | Compare |
Russell Sage College Similar quality tier (#15844 ranked) | NY | 53% | $58,316 | #15844 | Compare |
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Similar quality tier (#15834 ranked) | PA | 89% | $86,881 | #15834 | Compare |
Accounting and Related Services
19 graduates
Computer Science
15 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
48 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
27 graduates
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
16 graduates
Abilene Christian University's program mix is anchored in Business and professional fields aligned with the institution's mission-driven identity. General Studies is the largest program with 52 graduates, followed by Psychology, General with 48 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $51,705, Nursing with 48 graduates earning $89,079, Kinesiology with 39 graduates earning $62,645, and Business Administration with 39 graduates earning $63,259.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 629 students annually, several deliver strong earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The highest-earning programs at Abilene Christian University reflect the institution's professional focus.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $89,079 with 48 graduates, while Finance delivers median earnings of $83,525 across 27 graduates. Digital Marketing with 28 graduates earns $65,244, and Business Administration with 39 graduates reaches $63,259.
These programs cluster in fields where employers actively recruit and where four-year earnings reflect direct workforce entry rather than graduate-school pathways. The program portfolio balances breadth with professional specialization.
Business represents 19% of graduates, Education accounts for 5%, and Arts comprises 5%, together forming the institution's economic signature. This concentration in applied professional fields supports consistent labor-market alignment and employer visibility in Texas and surrounding regions.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national wage trends and hiring demand.
