At $10,991/yr net price, Sul Ross State University graduates earn $41,871/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,871/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,991 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,964 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,871/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,871/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,900 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,209/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,462/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,614/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,084/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,654/yr |
The Risk Factor
27.4% of students at Sul Ross State University 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
Sul Ross State University gives you a low-cost degree with a weak completion record, and that combination is the whole story. Your net price runs under $11,000 a year, and median debt at graduation sits below $16,000. Those are numbers most families can handle. The problem is finishing: fewer than three in ten students graduate, and only about 58% come back for a second year. If you drop out with even part of that debt and no degree, the math stops working fast.
Median earnings ten years out land near $42,000. That is enough to clear the debt but not enough to call the payoff strong. This is a modest, break-even school where the return depends almost entirely on whether you actually graduate and land steady work in the West Texas region around Alpine.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families the most. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay about $6,200 a year. Between $30k and $75k, you stay in the $9,000-$11,000 range. But the jump above $75,000 is steep: families over $110k pay more than $20,000 a year, nearly the same total cost as students from families a quarter as wealthy. If you sit in that top bracket, the value case here weakens considerably.
Sul Ross fits you if you are from the region, budget-conscious, and confident you will finish. Given the retention numbers, go in with a clear plan to graduate on time. If you are shopping on earnings potential or coming from a higher-income family paying the full sticker, look at schools with better completion rates and stronger salary outcomes before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sul Ross State University worth the cost?
Sul Ross State University offers a low net price at $10,991 per year, but graduates earn only $41,871 after 10 years, which is below the national average. The 27% graduation rate means most students don't complete their degrees, making the investment risky for many.
What is the return on investment for Sul Ross State University graduates?
With median debt of $15,900 and earnings of $41,871 ten years after enrollment, Sul Ross graduates see a modest return. However, the extremely low graduation rate of 27% means the majority of students accumulate debt without earning a degree.
Which programs at Sul Ross State University have the best job prospects?
Sul Ross is known for its agriculture and ranch management programs, which align with regional job markets in West Texas. Education and criminal justice programs also provide local employment opportunities, though earnings remain modest across most fields.
How much financial aid do Sul Ross State University students typically receive?
The low net price of $10,991 suggests most students receive significant financial aid, making Sul Ross one of the more affordable options in Texas. This helps keep debt levels relatively low at $15,900 median for those who borrow.