Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 55.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.1%
- Retention Rate
- 75.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $54,211
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,983
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 58.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $233/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $91,744 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $74,953 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Doctoral | $70,456 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,740 | $24,316 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,858 | $38,487 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $68,666 | $38,362 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $66,049 | $17,859 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $63,005 | |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $60,128 | $19,855 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $59,417 | $21,000 |
| Music. | Master | $57,705 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $56,579 | $39,049 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $56,415 | $18,750 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $53,984 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $51,482 | $36,942 |
Outcomes Overview
Sam Houston State graduates earn a median salary of $54,211 ten years after graduation, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 41% with typical debt loads of $21,983. Monthly loan payments of $233 represent about 5% of median income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong criminal justice program, one of the nation's largest, feeds graduates into law enforcement, corrections, and federal agencies where steady employment is common. With a 95.1% employment rate and a loan repayment rate of 58.16%, graduates generally find work but may face slower salary growth in public safety careers. Sam Houston State offers an average return on investment for students seeking stable, service-oriented careers.