At $23,451/yr net price, Austin College graduates earn $61,296/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,296/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,451 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $93,804 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,296/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,296/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,701/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,021/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,351/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,185/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,503/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $50,439 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $44,384 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $24,277 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $25,967 | $25,331 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $24,035 | $25,142 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $24,035 | $20,947 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $23,351 |
The Risk Factor
69.5% of students at Austin College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Austin College gives you a mixed financial return. The $61,296 median earnings ten years out sit well above what the individual program lines show, which tells you the strongest outcomes come from graduates who go on to law, medicine, or other paid graduate paths after leaving Sherman. The undergraduate program earnings on their own are modest, and the gap between them and the median is the real story here.
Economics is the clear winner among listed majors, paying nearly $6,000 more per year than business and roughly $18,000 more than history. Biology and history land at the bottom, both under $33,000, while carrying debt loads around $24,000 to $25,000. If you major in history at Austin College and stop at the bachelor's, your early earnings will not comfortably clear your debt. Biology only pays off if you continue to medical or graduate school.
The specific risk is paying private-college net price for a degree that leans on graduate school to reach its full value. You will borrow around $24,500 at the median, which is manageable against the school's overall earnings but heavy against the humanities and life-science starting salaries shown.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $18,000 to $19,700, less than families earning $75,000 or more, who pay over $28,000. That upper-middle band gets the worst deal, paying close to full sticker with less discount.
Austin College fits you if you plan to use it as a step toward a professional or graduate degree, especially in economics or a pre-professional track. If you want a bachelor's in history or biology and plan to enter the workforce right after, the cost is hard to justify at these salary levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin College worth the cost for the education you get?
Austin College graduates earn $61,296 ten years after graduation, which is reasonable for a $23,451 annual net price. However, the 69.5% graduation rate means nearly one in three students don't finish, making it a risky investment for borderline students.
What are the best paying majors at Austin College?
Teacher education graduates from Austin College earn $50,439 after ten years, making it the highest-paying program. Economics ($44,384) and general business ($38,289) also provide solid returns, while biology and international relations graduates earn significantly less.
How much debt do Austin College graduates typically have?
Austin College graduates leave with a median debt of $24,500, which is manageable given the typical $61,296 earnings ten years out. This debt level allows most graduates to pay off loans without major financial strain.
Does Austin College provide good value compared to other Texas colleges?
Austin College's $23,451 net price is competitive for a private liberal arts college, and the 10-year earnings of $61,296 represent decent value. The relatively low graduation rate compared to similar schools is the main concern for prospective students.