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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $19,042 |
| Tuition and Fees | $42,380 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$6,328 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $12,714 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,740 |
| $30–48k | $11,018 |
| $48–75k | $12,225 |
| $75–110k | $16,221 |
| $110k+ | $17,857 |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Student debt levels at Abilene Christian University align closely with peer institutions, with median debt of $24,250 compared to the peer median of $24,181. Debt distribution shows significant variation, ranging from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating different borrowing patterns among students.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests manageable debt levels relative to post-graduation income, falling within reasonable parameters for loan repayment. Parent PLUS loans add median debt of $23,205 with monthly payments of $306, requiring families to carefully consider total borrowing capacity.
At the 39th percentile nationally for debt levels, Abilene Christian University maintains moderate borrowing requirements that support accessibility without excessive financial burden. The alignment with peer debt levels suggests appropriate cost management relative to similar institutions while delivering superior earnings outcomes.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Abilene Christian University delivers strong return on investment through its combination of controlled costs and exceptional earnings beyond expectations performance. Graduates earn $18,627 more than predicted based on their demographics, ranking at the 93.5th percentile nationally for this critical uplift measure.
With median debt of $24,250 and median earnings of $55,736, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 supports sustainable loan repayment. Net costs averaging $12,714 compare favorably to peer medians of $27,143, providing $14,429 in annual savings.
The institution's return index ranks at the 82nd percentile, reflecting well above average performance in translating educational investment into career outcomes. This combination of affordability, controlled borrowing, and strong earnings uplift creates favorable conditions for long-term financial success, particularly given the institution's effectiveness in serving diverse student populations through open admission policies.
Abilene Christian University's financial aid approach reflects its commitment to accessibility, with 59.9% of students receiving Pell grants indicating substantial enrollment of lower-income students. The average financial aid savings of $6,328 per student represents meaningful support that makes private education accessible to diverse economic backgrounds.
Net pricing that remains relatively stable across income tiers suggests institutional aid supplements federal programs to maintain affordability. The university's aid strategy appears designed to compete with public institution pricing while providing private university benefits.
With net costs well below peer medians across all income levels, financial aid effectiveness supports the institution's access mission and helps explain the high Pell enrollment percentages.
