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Howard Payne University

Brownwood, Texas 76801-2794

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege townGreek life

Known for business — close-knit campus

Howard Payne University is a private institution in Brownwood with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1019, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 716 undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

31% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $48,376 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $25,255.

Established
1889
Motto
Believe, Belong, Become
Type
Private university
Conference
American Southwest Conference
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

68%Acceptance
1019SAT Avg
716Students
10:1Student:Faculty
31%Grad Rate
$48,376Earnings 10yr
$25,255Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate67.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1019

Reading & Writing
450570
Math
430530

ACT Score Range

Composite
1825

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$33,322
Room & Board$10,074
Books & Supplies$1,500
Total Cost of Attendance$44,579
Average Net Price$25,255
Median Debt at Graduation$26,793
Monthly Payment (10yr)$284

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,589
$30–48K$22,305
$48–75K$26,844
$75–110K$29,620
$110K+$29,652

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

34.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$11,892

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

4

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (52)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

55%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
716
Gender Split
47% / 53%
Women / Men
First Generation
37%
Pell Grant Recipients
42%

Race & Ethnicity

White 53%
Black 10%
Hispanic 27%
Asian 1%
Two+ 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate31.1%
Freshman Retention54.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$38,212
10 Years$48,376

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballBasketball championship

History & Fun Facts

  • Founding and history Mabee University Center On June 20, 1889, Howard Payne College was founded at Indian Creek by members of the Pecan Valley Baptist Association.
  • It was named for its first financial benefactor, Robnett's brother-in-law Edward Howard Payne.
  • HPC held its first classes in 1890 and granted its first degree in 1895, to Robnett.
  • In 1915, the yellow jacket was chosen by Carrie (Camp) Allen as the university mascot.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

92Average

Estimated from TX state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Austinpop. 960K
124 mi(215 min)
Dallaspop. 1.3M
147 mi(255 min)
San Antoniopop. 1.5M
161 mi(279 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

AUS Austin131 mi
DFW Dallas-Fort Worth140 mi
SAT San Antonio154 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1696 mi · ~49h drive
New York, NY1518 mi · ~43h 51m drive
Hartford, CT1605 mi · ~46h 22m drive
Providence, RI1669 mi · ~48h 13m drive
Albany, NY1572 mi · ~45h 25m drive
Syracuse, NY1471 mi · ~42h 30m drive
Rochester, NY1408 mi · ~40h 41m drive
Buffalo, NY1342 mi · ~38h 46m drive
Philadelphia, PA1445 mi · ~41h 45m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1216 mi · ~35h 8m drive
Harrisburg, PA1364 mi · ~39h 24m drive
Newark, NJ1510 mi · ~43h 37m drive
Washington, DC1329 mi · ~38h 24m drive
Baltimore, MD1358 mi · ~39h 14m drive
Atlanta, GA859 mi · ~24h 49m drive
Charlotte, NC1072 mi · ~30h 58m drive
Raleigh, NC1200 mi · ~34h 40m drive
Miami, FL1209 mi · ~34h 56m drive
Orlando, FL1074 mi · ~31h 2m drive
Tampa, FL1023 mi · ~29h 33m drive
Nashville, TN763 mi · ~22h 3m drive
New Orleans, LA543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
Richmond, VA1286 mi · ~37h 9m drive
Chicago, IL940 mi · ~27h 9m drive
Detroit, MI1142 mi · ~32h 59m drive
Minneapolis, MN967 mi · ~27h 56m drive
St. Louis, MO688 mi · ~19h 53m drive
Kansas City, MO567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
Indianapolis, IN908 mi · ~26h 14m drive
Columbus, OH1059 mi · ~30h 36m drive
Cleveland, OH1170 mi · ~33h 48m drive
Milwaukee, WI989 mi · ~28h 34m drive
Dallas, TX147 mi · ~4h 15m drive
Houston, TX254 mi · ~7h 20m drive
Austin, TX124 mi · ~3h 35m drive
San Antonio, TX161 mi · ~4h 39m drive
Los Angeles, CA1127 mi · ~32h 33m drive
San Francisco, CA1390 mi · ~40h 9m drive
San Diego, CA1063 mi · ~30h 43m drive
Seattle, WA1646 mi · ~47h 33m drive
Portland, OR1585 mi · ~45h 47m drive
Denver, CO648 mi · ~18h 43m drive
Phoenix, AZ771 mi · ~22h 16m drive
Salt Lake City, UT951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
Honolulu, HI3667 mi · ~105h 56m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Howard Payne University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications