At $22,587/yr net price, Texas Lutheran University graduates earn $53,863/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,863/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,587 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $90,348 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,863/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,863/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,458/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,270/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,551/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,601/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,533/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $61,218 | $16,104 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $45,500 | $27,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $44,189 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $43,054 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $37,748 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,213 | $25,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $31,848 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $31,581 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $26,997 | $26,969 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,739 |
The Risk Factor
55.2% of students at Texas Lutheran 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
Texas Lutheran University sits in the middle of the ROI range: median earnings ten years out land above the median debt, so you can pay off what you borrow, but the margin isn't wide. A graduate rate near 55% and a retention rate of 67% mean roughly a third of freshmen don't come back for year two, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the biggest financial risk here.
The listed bachelor's programs cluster tightly around $35,000 to $45,500, well below the school's overall $53,863 median. That gap tells you the higher-paying paths at TLU aren't in the programs shown here. Teacher education leads the listed majors near $45,500, but it also carries $27,000 in debt, the highest of the group, so the payoff on a teaching salary in the Seguin and greater San Antonio market is slow. Management Information Systems pays nearly as much with no debt figure attached, making it the stronger bet of the listed options. Sociology at $37,748 and Business Administration at $35,213 leave you closer to the debt line with less room to work with.
The net price tiers are unusually flat. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay about $20,300 a year. if you earn over $110,000, you pay $26,533. The bottom-income discount is modest, so a lower-income family still faces a real bill after aid.
TLU fits you if you're heading into MIS or teaching and you finish on time. If you're drawn to sociology or general business, or if there's any chance you leave before graduating, the debt outpaces the payoff and you should compare a cheaper public option before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas Lutheran University worth the cost?
Texas Lutheran University graduates earn a median of $53,863 ten years after graduation, which is below average for the $22,587 annual net price. With a 55% graduation rate and $25,000 median debt, the return on investment is modest unless you pursue high-paying programs like accounting.
What are the best paying majors at Texas Lutheran University?
Accounting graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn the highest median salary at $61,218, making it the most financially viable program. Education and management information systems graduates earn in the mid-40s, while sociology majors average just $37,748.
How much debt do Texas Lutheran University graduates have?
Texas Lutheran University graduates have a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with the relatively low graduation rate of 55%, there's significant risk of taking on debt without completing a degree.
Does Texas Lutheran University have good financial aid?
Texas Lutheran University's net price of $22,587 suggests decent financial aid for a private school, but the low graduation rate indicates many students struggle to finish. The 92% acceptance rate means most students qualify academically, but completion is the bigger challenge.