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Howard Payne University

#689 in US ranking Brownwood, TX
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$49,166
Tuition & fees
$34,982
Avg. aid
$27,099
Receiving aid
91%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
67%
SAT range
880–1160
ACT range
16–27

Outcomes

Graduation rate
28%
Median salary
$39,630
1 yr after graduation

What does Howard Payne University offer in terms of athletics?

Howard Payne University's Yellow Jackets compete in NCAA Division III athletics and the American Southwest Conference. Varsity sports include football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and volleyball, with the available teams differing by gender.

NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships. Prospective varsity athletes should discuss recruitment and team-specific eligibility with coaches while evaluating academic and need-based aid separately. Students who do not compete on varsity teams can ask student activities staff about current intramural, recreational and fitness options; participation in a listed recreational sport is not the same as a varsity roster spot.

What student groups and Associations are available at Howard Payne University?

Howard Payne University has student organizations spanning faith, academic interests, recreation and service. Reported examples include Baptist Student Ministry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gaming Guild, Spanish Club and Social Work Club.

These groups offer different kinds of involvement: a professional-interest club may connect coursework with service or career exploration, while a gaming or language group offers a shared activity outside class. Students interested in leadership can ask about student government and current organization registration. Because club activity changes as students graduate and new officers take over, a current student-activities roster is more useful than an older list when planning to join a specific group.

Who studies at Howard Payne University?

Howard Payne University enrolled 809 students in the reported institutional count, making it a small university by enrollment. The incoming first-time degree-seeking undergraduate group numbered 216, and 63 degree-seeking undergraduates entered as transfers.

Most students in the reported age distribution were of traditional college age: 265 were ages 18-19 and 243 were ages 20-21. The university also enrolled students in their late twenties and older, so adult learners are part of the population even though younger students predominate. Reported geographic data show that the overwhelming majority of students in the measured group came from Texas.

Ethnicity counts reported in a separate student profile included 353 White students, 211 Hispanic or Latino students and 69 Black or African American students. Because institutional datasets can use different reporting dates and populations, those counts should not be treated as a precise breakdown of the 809-student enrollment figure.

How does student life look like at Howard Payne University?

Student life at Howard Payne University combines a relatively small enrollment with a substantial residential population. A reported 59% of students lived on campus, while 41% commuted; both groups are therefore important to the everyday campus experience.

Students can participate in performing arts, including theater, choral groups and marching band, as well as campus events and service activities. Reported student-support offerings include a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling. Applicants should check current hours, appointment procedures and any limits on services, particularly if they will commute or need care outside normal business hours.

For a prospective student, the small scale may mean seeing familiar classmates and staff regularly, but it can also make the timing of events and course offerings especially important. A campus visit during the academic term can help an applicant assess how much activity is available on an ordinary weekday rather than only during a major event.

What libraries are available to students at Howard Payne University?

Walker Memorial Library is Howard Payne University's main campus library. It provides a place for coursework and research, with library staff and academic resources that students can use when locating sources for assignments.

Students should check the library's current catalog and website for database access, research help, borrowing rules and interlibrary loan procedures. These details matter particularly for specialized projects that require materials beyond the campus collection. Reported library information does not indicate 24-hour study areas, so students who study late should verify current opening hours and alternative campus spaces.

Howard Payne University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

809

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

212

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

52 full time, 63 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Howard Payne University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 751
Graduate: 58

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 680
Part-time: 129

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 84
Men: 128

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 211
Black or African American: 69
White: 353
American Indian or Alaska Native: 3
Asian: 4
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 1
Two or more races: 36
Unknown: 34

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Howard Payne University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men––

Basketball

BothBoth–

Football

MenBoth–

Soccer

BothBoth–

Softball

WomenBoth–

Table tennis

–Both–

Tennis

BothBoth–

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

WomenBoth–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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