At $20,924/yr net price, Texas A & M University-College Station graduates earn $72,097/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $38,097/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,924 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,696 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,097/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$38,097/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,804 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,273/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,597/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,685/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,336/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,548/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $144,240 | $68,728 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $134,726 | $133,620 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $115,761 | $41,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Master | $110,878 | |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $109,763 | $41,000 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $105,083 | $170,918 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $92,632 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $92,632 | |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $92,124 | $18,969 |
| Nuclear Engineering. | Master | $87,532 |
The Risk Factor
83.8% of students at Texas A & M University-College Station graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Texas A&M College Station gives you a strong financial return for a public school, and the math holds up across most of the risks families worry about. You graduate with median debt under $18,000, which is less than a quarter of what you can expect to earn in a single year a decade out. The 83.8% graduation rate and 94.25% retention rate mean you are likely to finish and finish on time, so you are not paying for extra semesters or dropping out with debt and no degree.
The engineering programs are where the payoff is clearest. Petroleum engineering leads at over $92,000, and it comes with debt no higher than the campus median, so the earnings are close to pure upside. Chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science all clear $77,000. Marine transportation pays well too, but it carries the highest debt on this list at $23,406, so weigh that gap before committing. These are Texas-anchored fields, and the state's energy and tech employers give you a regional job market that rewards these degrees directly.
The main risk is major choice. The top earners here are engineering and computing. If you enroll and drift into a lower-paying field, you lose the earnings edge that justifies the cost, while still paying the same tuition. This school pays off when you commit to a technical track.
The net price tiers favor lower-income families sharply. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay around $12,000 to $12,600 a year. Above $110,000, you pay roughly $29,500. If your family earns over six figures and you are not headed for engineering or computing, run the numbers carefully before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas A&M University-College Station worth the cost?
Texas A&M offers solid value with a net price of $20,924 and 10-year earnings of $72,097. The relatively low median debt of $17,804 and strong 84% graduation rate make it a reasonable investment for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at Texas A&M University-College Station?
Dentistry leads with $144,240 average earnings, followed by pharmacy at $134,726 and petroleum engineering at $110,878. Business and management programs also perform well with earnings over $100,000.
How much student debt do Texas A&M University-College Station graduates have?
The median debt is $17,804, which is manageable compared to the school's average starting salaries. Most high-earning programs at Texas A&M justify this debt level within a few years of graduation.
Does Texas A&M University-College Station have good financial aid?
With a net price of $20,924 for the average student, Texas A&M provides decent financial aid that keeps costs below many comparable state universities. The relatively low debt levels suggest aid packages are working for most families.