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 gives you a solid middle-of-the-road financial return. A $21,000 median debt against $56,906 median earnings ten years out means most graduates carry less than half a year's salary in loans. That's a manageable ratio, and it's the single strongest thing this school has going for it.
Your major matters more than the median suggests. Computer Science graduates clear $72,274, and the four engineering and nursing programs listed all land between $60,000 and $69,000. Pick one of these and you earn well above the school-wide median while borrowing roughly the same $22,000 to $25,000 everyone else does. The debt is flat across programs, so the payoff difference comes entirely from which field you enter. San Antonio and Austin sit within commuting distance, and both markets hire tech, engineering, and nursing graduates.
The risk is the 56.2% graduation rate. Nearly half of students don't finish in the measured window, and if you borrow for a degree you don't complete, you get the debt without the earnings that justify it. The 77.5% retention rate shows about one in four freshmen leave after year one. Those odds are the biggest financial threat here, bigger than tuition.
Net price rewards lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $12,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay about $23,150, nearly double. For a family in the top bracket, the value case rests entirely on landing one of the higher-paying majors.
This school fits you if you're targeting computer science, engineering, or nursing and can realistically finish in four to five years. If you're undecided, prone to stopping out, or looking at lower-earning fields, the graduation-rate risk makes the borrowing harder to justify.
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.