Best Value Management Information Systems and Services Colleges in Texas

Texas graduates with Management Information Systems degrees earn anywhere from $31,236 to $75,652 annually, creating a $44,000 salary gap that reflects both program quality and job market positioning. The University of Texas at Austin stands alone at the top, with graduates earning $75,652 despite a $19,678 net cost. At the other extreme, Texas A&M International offers the lowest net cost at just $3,061, though graduates earn $39,369. This earnings spread matters significantly in Texas, where healthcare technology drives much of the MIS job market through major employers like HCA Healthcare and the Texas Medical Center complex in Houston. Public universities dominate the value equation across all 15 programs, with net costs ranging from $3,061 to $19,678. Students can leverage state aid programs like the TEXAS Grant to reduce expenses further. The data reveals that higher costs often correlate with better earnings potential, but several mid-tier options like University of Houston and University of North Texas offer strong returns at moderate prices, with graduates earning around $58,000 annually.

Programs

$1,113 – $41,942

Net Price Range

$46,878

Avg. Program Earnings

49.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Management Information Systems and Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Texas A & M International University Laredo, Texas	$3,061	$39,369	$7,846	48.9%	47.9%
2	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$32,925	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
3	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$11,234	$56,234	$8,991	51.2%	86.9%
4	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$11,056	$49,631	$7,746	50.9%	69.4%
5	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$58,985	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
6	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$42,682	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
7	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$14,352	$58,673	$11,164	59.6%	79.1%
8	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$75,652	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
9	University of Houston-Downtown Houston, Texas	$14,623	$50,022	$7,708	33.8%	88.4%
10	Lamar University Beaumont, Texas	$11,429	$38,289	$8,690	37.2%	83.7%
11	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915	$38,289	$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
12	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726	$31,236	$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
13	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235	$43,240	$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
14	Sam Houston State University Huntsville, Texas	$16,025	$42,682	$9,228	55.1%	84.6%
15	Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, Texas	$14,041	$31,848	$11,299	43.2%	76.1%
16	West Texas A & M University Canyon, Texas	$20,841	$44,542	$9,101	47.3%	91.6%
17	Texas Lutheran University Seguin, Texas	$22,587	$44,189	$34,920	55.2%	91.8%
18	Baylor University Waco, Texas	$41,942	$65,320	$54,844	80.2%	45.9%
19	Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, Texas	$21,031		$31,686	49.6%	88.3%
20	Texas A&M University-Central Texas Killeen, Texas	$1,113		$6,627		95.7%
21	Texas A&M University-San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$13,220		$9,548	29.4%	96.1%
22	Wiley University Marshall, Texas	$10,095		$12,500	20.0%
23	Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, Texas	$19,398		$37,934	32.4%	60.9%
24	Texas Southern University Houston, Texas	$19,734		$9,173	19.9%	96.8%
25	Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, Texas	$15,137		$9,748	33.7%	88.0%
26	Dallas Baptist University Dallas, Texas	$30,092		$38,140	60.4%	91.4%
27	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268		$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
28	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924		$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
29	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, Texas	$28,690		$33,150	53.4%	95.7%
30	Sul Ross State University Alpine, Texas	$10,991		$7,592	27.4%	97.1%
31	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$41,778		$64,460	83.3%	52.3%
32	St. Mary's University San Antonio, Texas	$21,352		$36,242	58.8%	86.2%
33	Schreiner University Kerrville, Texas	$20,410		$37,396	43.7%	85.2%
34	Howard Payne University Brownwood, Texas	$25,255		$33,322	31.1%	62.3%
35	Saint Edward's University Austin, Texas	$23,636		$51,384	64.2%	85.1%
36	Abilene Christian University Abilene, Texas	$27,401		$42,380	60.2%	65.8%
37	University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas	$20,498		$35,660	51.8%	94.2%
38	Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, Texas	$25,910		$27,298	48.7%	81.6%
39	Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, Texas	$11,882		$10,310	41.3%	92.4%
40	McMurry University Abilene, Texas	$19,988		$31,372	38.6%	56.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $44,000 salary difference between the highest and lowest earning programs?

UT Austin graduates earn $75,652 compared to $31,236 for UT El Paso graduates, reflecting differences in program reputation, employer networks, and job market access. Austin's proximity to major tech employers and corporate headquarters creates more high-paying opportunities. UT Austin also maintains an 87.6% graduation rate, suggesting stronger student support and program completion. The $44,000 gap represents one of the largest earnings ranges among public university MIS programs in any state.

How do net costs compare to actual tuition at Texas MIS programs?

Net costs after financial aid often fall well below published tuition rates, especially at public universities. Texas A&M International shows the most dramatic difference, with a net cost of $3,061 versus $7,846 in-state tuition. University of Houston-Clear Lake demonstrates similar value with an $11,056 net cost against $7,746 tuition. These gaps indicate substantial financial aid availability through state programs like the TEXAS Grant and institutional scholarships.

Is there a correlation between acceptance rates and program quality in Texas MIS programs?

UT Austin combines the most selective admissions at 31.35% acceptance with the highest graduate earnings at $75,652, suggesting competitive entry standards correlate with outcomes. However, UT El Paso accepts 99.92% of applicants but produces the lowest earnings at $31,236. Most programs fall between 70-90% acceptance rates, indicating that selectivity varies widely. The data shows that moderate selectivity programs like University of North Texas (79% acceptance) can still produce strong outcomes with $58,673 average earnings.

Does higher net cost guarantee better career outcomes for MIS graduates?

While UT Austin's $19,678 net cost produces the highest earnings at $75,652, the relationship isn't perfectly linear across all programs. University of Houston delivers strong returns with graduates earning $58,985 at a $13,853 net cost, demonstrating good value. Texas A&M International offers the lowest cost at $3,061 but graduates still earn $39,369, providing solid returns. The key is finding programs that balance reasonable costs with strong employer connections in Texas's healthcare and technology sectors.

Where do graduation rates stand out among Texas MIS programs?

UT Austin leads with an 87.6% graduation rate, significantly higher than the state average and reflecting strong student support systems. University of Houston follows at 64.9%, while most other programs cluster between 40-60%. University of Houston-Downtown shows concerning trends with only a 33.8% graduation rate despite decent earnings potential. These rates matter because MIS careers require completing technical coursework sequences, and higher graduation rates often indicate better academic support and career guidance.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.