Abilene, Texas Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Abilene, Texas: median public in-state tuition $32,960 (+498.0% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $54,771 (+0.7% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 91.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $24,250 (+82.7% vs U.S.) 5,726 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 5 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 5,726 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $32,960 (+498.0% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $54,771 (+0.7% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 91.4% (+3.5 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $19,581 (+96.4% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $24,250 (+82.7% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $11,004
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 46.0%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 64.9%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Abilene serve students across Texas with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 5 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 5,726 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $32,960. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Abilene, Texas and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Abilene vs Texas & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, Texas | $32,960 | $19,581 | $24,250 | 46.0% | 5,726 |
| Texas (state median) | $3,555 | $8,031 | $10,652 | 45.0% | 1,240,605 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Abilene, Texas vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, Texas | $54,771 | 91.4% | 64.9% | 5.9% | — | 77.8% | 0.45 |
| Texas (state median) | $54,338 | 89.8% | 69.6% | 6.9% | — | 69.4% | 0.40 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Texas (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, Texas | $32,960 | $19,581 | $24,250 | 46.0% | 5,726 | $54,771 | 91.4% |
| Houston | $12,445 | $19,626 | $11,533 | 46.7% | 137,452 | $59,224 | 87.5% |
| San Antonio | $11,707 | $20,465 | $9,500 | 50.5% | 111,767 | $56,844 | 90.7% |
| Austin | $23,500 | $21,991 | $9,120 | 44.6% | 82,274 | $59,854 | 89.8% |
| Dallas | $17,692 | $22,774 | $12,785 | 50.0% | 62,146 | $42,797 | 87.6% |
| Dallas | $17,692 | $22,774 | $12,785 | 50.0% | 62,146 | $42,797 | 87.6% |
| Dallas | $17,692 | $22,774 | $12,785 | 50.0% | 62,146 | $42,797 | 87.6% |
| Fort Worth | $11,934 | $24,181 | $15,500 | 31.5% | 57,100 | $61,238 | 90.7% |
| El Paso | $9,744 | $16,242 | $11,000 | 65.5% | 50,598 | $50,923 | 89.2% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Abilene, Texas
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 3 | $54,771 | 91.4% | 64.9% | 5.9% | — | 77.8% |
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 59.0%, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 46.0%, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 44.3%, McMurry University
McMurry University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.8%, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.4%, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 90.2%, McMurry University
McMurry University
Top 3 most selective colleges in Abilene, Texas (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 57.0%, McMurry University
McMurry University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 66.0%, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 90.0%, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $72,481, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $48,334, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $47,240, McMurry University
McMurry University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $93,032, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $90,276, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $55,605, McMurry University
McMurry University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,727, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $44,392, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,647, McMurry University
McMurry University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,257, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $48,639, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $47,393, McMurry University
McMurry University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $55,736, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $54,771, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $48,779, McMurry University
McMurry University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $148,248, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $128,020, McMurry University
McMurry University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $127,298, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Top 3 most affordable colleges in Abilene, Texas (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $19,555, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $19,581, McMurry University
McMurry University
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Rank 3, Net Price, $26,182, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Top 3 colleges in Abilene, Texas by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 80.5%, Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 64.9%, Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 63.5%, McMurry University
McMurry University
In-state tuition: Abilene, Texas vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Abilene, Texas median in-state tuition is $32,960, +498.0% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Abilene, Texas vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Abilene, Texas is $24,250 (+82.7% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $11,004.
Median earnings (10 years out): Abilene, Texas vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Abilene, Texas center around $54,771 (+0.7% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Abilene, Texas vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 91.4% at the median Abilene, Texas campus (+3.5 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Abilene, Texas median public in-state tuition is $32,960, about +498.0% vs the national median. Versus the Southwest region, tuition is +794.2%.
Median graduate debt is $24,250 (+82.7% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Abilene, Texas are $54,771, about +0.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 91.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+3.5 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 64.9% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.9% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 77.8% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Hardin-Simmons University (91.8%), Abilene Christian University (91.4%), McMurry University (90.2%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Abilene, Texas, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $54,771 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Abilene, Texas is 46.0% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Abilene?
This city profile covers 5 campuses in Abilene, Texas with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Abilene?
Median in-state tuition in Abilene is $32,960 and median net price is $19,581. For Texas overall, medians are $3,555 and $8,031; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Abilene?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Abilene is $54,771 vs $54,338 for Texas and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Abilene colleges?
Median completer debt in Abilene is $24,250 vs $10,652 for Texas and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Abilene?
Top campuses on this page include Abilene Christian University (graduation) and Abilene Christian University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Abilene?
Among 5 campuses in Abilene, Texas, 3 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, and Neecee's Barber College; 3 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Churches of Christ (1), Baptist (1), United Methodist (1).
Sources & related
- Texas college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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