At $16,025/yr net price, Sam Houston State University graduates earn $54,211/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,211/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,025 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,211/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,211/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,983 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,736/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,541/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,419/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,551/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,198/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
55.1% of students at Sam Houston State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Sam Houston State gives you a moderate financial return with low upfront cost. At roughly $16,000 a year in net price, you graduate with median debt just under $22,000, which lines up closely with what a typical graduate earns above the median in their first years out. That debt-to-earnings balance is manageable, and nothing here points to a debt trap.
Your major decides everything. Nursing pays the most at nearly $70,000, but you take on the highest debt of any program here to get there, so the payoff comes with the biggest borrowing. Construction Engineering Technologies is the smarter trade: strong pay around $60,000 with some of the lowest debt on the list. Computer and Information Sciences pairs solid earnings with the cheapest debt load, making it the cleanest value. Agricultural Mechanization sits at the bottom near $49,000, and against Texas living costs that return is thin.
The main risk is completion. Just over half of students finish, and a quarter don't return after the first year. If you borrow and leave without the degree, you carry the debt with none of the earning power, and that is where this school hurts people most.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $12,000 a year, which makes this one of the better-value public options in the region for a lower-income budget. Above $110,000, your price climbs to roughly $23,000, so the deal gets weaker as income rises. This school fits you if you enroll in nursing, construction tech, or computing and actually graduate. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to the lower-paying tracks or unsure you'll finish, since the numbers only work when you leave with the diploma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sam Houston State University worth the cost?
Sam Houston State University offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $16,025 annually and graduates earning $54,211 after 10 years. However, the 55% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts the return on investment for those who don't complete their degree.
What are the highest paying majors at Sam Houston State University?
Computer/Information Technology Administration leads with graduates earning $91,744 annually, followed by Educational Administration at $74,953 and Student Counseling at $70,456. These programs offer strong ROI compared to the school's overall graduate earnings of $54,211.
How much student debt do Sam Houston State University graduates have?
The median debt load is $21,983, which is manageable given the relatively low cost of attendance. With typical graduate earnings around $54,211, most students can handle this debt level without major financial stress.
Should I attend Sam Houston State University if I got accepted elsewhere?
If you're pursuing computer technology, education administration, or nursing, Sam Houston State offers solid career prospects at a reasonable price. For other majors, consider that the low graduation rate and average earnings may limit your options compared to schools with stronger completion rates.