At $19,740/yr net price, Southern University and A & M College graduates earn $43,371/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,371/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,740 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $78,960 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,371/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,371/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $29,251 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,473/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,314/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,614/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,583/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,940/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,856 | $41,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,064 | $31,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $55,964 | $47,498 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $52,107 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $51,187 | $28,437 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $50,439 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $49,344 | $49,378 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $49,019 | $31,125 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $48,139 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $43,798 | $45,137 |
The Risk Factor
28.5% of students at Southern University and A & M College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Southern University and A&M College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans risky. The median graduate earns about $43,000 ten years out while carrying nearly $30,000 in debt, so the payoff is modest for most paths. The bigger problem is finishing: fewer than 3 in 10 students graduate, and only about 60% return after their first year. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner at roughly $62,000, and the three engineering programs (electrical, mechanical, civil) all clear $49,000. Those numbers beat the school-wide median by a wide margin and justify the debt loads attached to them, which run $28,000 to $31,000. Agriculture sits at the bottom of the listed programs near $39,000, close to the median, so the return there is thin against similar borrowing. If you enroll for anything outside nursing or engineering, expect earnings around or below the median.
Net price is where the math gets uncomfortable. Families earning under $30,000 still pay about $18,500 a year, and price barely drops as income falls. Higher earners pay close to $24,000. There's little discount at the low end, so a lower income doesn't buy you much relief here.
This school fits you if you're committed to nursing or engineering and confident you'll finish. Those degrees pay for the cost. If you're undecided, drawn to lower-earning majors, or unsure about graduating, the combination of a 28% grad rate, $19,740 yearly net price, and near-$30,000 debt makes this a costly bet. Look harder before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern University and A & M College worth the cost?
Southern University and A & M College has a concerning low graduation rate of 28.5% and median earnings of $43,371 after 10 years, which barely covers the typical debt load of $29,251. The value depends heavily on your program choice, with nursing and engineering offering much better returns than the overall average.
What are the best paying majors at Southern University and A & M College?
Nursing programs at Southern University lead earnings potential with graduates making around $62,000-$90,000 annually. Engineering majors (electrical and mechanical) also perform well with starting salaries around $51,000-$52,000, while communication disorders graduates earn about $55,964.
How much debt do Southern University and A & M College graduates have?
The median debt for Southern University graduates is $29,251. With median earnings of $43,371 ten years after graduation, this creates a manageable but not ideal debt-to-income ratio for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Southern University and A & M College?
Southern University has a graduation rate of only 28.5%, meaning more than 7 out of 10 students who start here don't finish their degree. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition and increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.