At $15,152/yr net price, Stephen F Austin State University graduates earn $49,634/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,634/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,152 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $60,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,634/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,634/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,409 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,426/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,174/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,068/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,985/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,940/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $70,456 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,768 | $25,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $63,005 | $31,855 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $57,943 | $17,860 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | Master | $55,286 | $28,825 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $54,760 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $52,941 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,420 | $24,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $50,856 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $50,231 | $21,864 |
The Risk Factor
51.7% of students at Stephen F Austin 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
Stephen F Austin State University gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return. Median earnings ten years out sit just under $50,000, and median debt lands near $23,000, so most graduates carry less debt than a single year's salary. That's a manageable ratio, but it isn't a fast payoff either.
The programs that pay off here are clear. Nursing is the standout, clearing $63,000 and outpacing every other major on the list by more than $10,000. Computer science, math, and finance all land in the low $50,000s with debt loads similar to nursing, so the return per dollar borrowed favors those fields. Finance carries the lowest debt of the top programs, which makes it one of the better value picks. Business economics trails the group at around $47,000, so if earnings drive your choice, it's the weakest of the strong options.
Your biggest financial risk is not finishing. A 51.7% graduation rate and a 71% retention rate mean a real share of students leave with debt and no degree, and dropping out is the fastest way to turn this into a losing bet. The published earnings only apply if you cross the finish line.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $11,000 a year, less than the tiers above you. Above $110,000, you pay nearly double that at around $22,000. Families in the middle see costs climb steeply between the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing, computing, math, or finance and qualify for the lower net-price tiers. If you're paying the top-income price and leaning toward a lower-earning major, the math gets thin, and finishing on time matters more than anywhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stephen F Austin State University worth the cost?
Stephen F Austin State University offers below-average returns with graduates earning $49,634 ten years after enrollment, which is low compared to the $15,152 annual net price. The 51% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Stephen F Austin State University?
Educational Administration and Nursing programs at Stephen F Austin lead earnings at around $70,000 and $64,000 respectively. Most other programs result in significantly lower earnings, with many graduates earning under $60,000.
How much debt do Stephen F Austin State University graduates have?
Stephen F Austin graduates leave with a median debt of $23,409. Given the low average earnings of $49,634, this debt load represents a reasonable debt-to-income ratio for those who actually graduate.
Does Stephen F Austin State University have good job placement?
With a 51% graduation rate and average earnings of $49,634, Stephen F Austin shows mixed employment outcomes. The school works best for students in nursing or education programs, but other majors face limited earning potential.