Sandra S. Harper President | McMurry University
Sandra S. Harper President | McMurry University
Data shows that students paid $36,011 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $844 more than the previous school year.
Among the four institutions in the county, Abilene Christian University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $40,500. Hardin-Simmons University followed with an average of $31,686 per year. Texas College of Cosmetology-Abilene students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $13,250.
At the time, a total of $39.5 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Taylor County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $9.3 million.
Currently there are four higher education institutions in Taylor County, including Hardin-Simmons University, Texas College of Cosmetology-Abilene, and Abilene Christian University.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas College of Cosmetology-Abilene | 82 | $458,560 | $5,592 | 76 | $421,140 | $5,541 |
| Hardin-Simmons University | 349 | $8,286,222 | $23,743 | 331 | $2,556,771 | $7,724 |
| Abilene Christian University | 890 | $24,843,717 | $27,914 | 441 | $4,896,327 | $11,103 |
| McMurry University | 266 | $5,906,160 | $22,204 | 185 | $1,381,395 | $7,467 |
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