At $16,438/yr net price, Texas State University graduates earn $56,906/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,906/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,438 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $65,752 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,906/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,906/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,144/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,576/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,117/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,528/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,150/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 | $104,192 | $35,780 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $86,129 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $74,038 | $56,406 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $72,274 | $22,842 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $70,456 | $44,977 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,965 | $23,092 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,858 | $24,987 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $67,660 | $22,000 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,557 | $24,483 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $63,263 | $17,425 |
The Risk Factor
56.2% of students at Texas 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
Texas State University delivers solid financial returns for most students, with median earnings of $56,906 after graduation and relatively low debt loads of $21,000. The net price of $16,438 annually makes this one of the better values among Texas public universities.
Nursing stands out as the clear financial winner, with graduates earning over $104,000 annually despite higher debt levels. Computer science majors also perform well, earning $72,000 to $86,000 with manageable debt. Educational administration graduates see strong earnings at $70,456, though they carry nearly $45,000 in debt. Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions present a mixed picture with decent earnings but concerning debt levels above $56,000.
The biggest financial risk at Texas State is the 56% graduation rate. If you don't finish your degree, you face loan payments without the earning power to justify them. The 77% retention rate suggests many students struggle academically or financially during their first year.
Texas State works best financially for students who can complete their degrees in high-demand fields like nursing or computer science. The San Antonio-Austin corridor provides strong job markets for these graduates. Students considering lower-earning majors should carefully weigh the debt load against realistic career prospects.
The relatively low percentage of students receiving financial aid suggests merit opportunities may be limited. Your best strategy involves choosing a program with strong earning potential and graduating on time to maximize the return on your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas State University worth the cost for the education you get?
Texas State offers reasonable value with a net price of $16,438 annually and graduates earning $56,906 after 10 years. However, the 56% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who don't graduate.
What are the best paying majors at Texas State University?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning over $104,000, followed by Computer Science at $86,000. Most other programs result in much lower earnings, so choosing your major carefully matters for financial outcomes.
How much student debt do Texas State University graduates typically have?
The median debt is $21,000, which is manageable compared to many schools. With starting salaries around $57,000 for graduates, most can handle this debt load if they complete their degree.
Should I choose Texas State University over more expensive schools in Texas?
Texas State makes sense if you're studying nursing or computer science, where outcomes justify the cost. For other majors with lower earning potential, the 87% acceptance rate suggests you might find similar opportunities at community colleges for much less money.