Nacogdoches, TX · Private University
Is Stephen F Austin State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$49,634
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,600
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,680
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$82,720
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.40x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
51.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,409
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,152
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Stephen F Austin State University graduates earn $4,634 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Stephen F Austin State University ranked by graduate earnings
168 graduates
80 graduates
63 graduates
106 graduates
70 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Stephen F Austin State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Stephen F Austin State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $73,525) and the lowest (Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies: $27,942) is $45,583/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $73,525 | 3.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $68,965 | 3.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $61,595 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,586 | 2.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,019 | 2.9x |
| Mathematics | $53,563 | 2.6x |
| Engineering Physics(1yr data) | $52,715 | 2.5x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $51,550 | 2.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $49,881 | 2.4x |
| Music | $48,515 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $48,426 | 2.3x |
| Biology, General | $48,416 | 2.3x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $47,458 | 2.3x |
| History | $47,274 | 2.3x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $47,093 | 2.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,105 | 2.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,006 | 2.2x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $46,004 | 2.2x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,972 | 2.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,776 | 2.2x |
| Human Resources Management and Services(1yr data) | $45,516 | 2.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $45,308 | 2.2x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $43,631 | 2.1x |
| Psychology, General | $42,351 | 2.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $40,658 | 2.0x |
| Forestry(1yr data) | $39,953 | 1.9x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $39,252 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,073 | 1.9x |
| Social Work | $38,586 | 1.9x |
| Interior Architecture(1yr data) | $38,538 | 1.9x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $38,375 | 1.9x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $36,248 | 1.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $36,116 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,380 | 1.7x |
| Animal Sciences | $35,170 | 1.7x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(1yr data) | $33,767 | 1.6x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $33,340 | 1.6x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesLowest | $27,942 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Stephen F Austin State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $49,634 10 years after starting, $4,634 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.7 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.