San Marcos, TX · Private University
Is Texas State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,906
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,450
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$23,210
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$92,840
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.45x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
56.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,438
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Texas State University graduates earn $11,906 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 Texas State University ranked by graduate earnings
278 graduates
119 graduates
164 graduates
58 graduates
51 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Texas 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 Texas State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Physics: $101,450) and the lowest (International Relations and National Security Studies: $20,547) is $80,903/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| PhysicsBest ROI | $101,450 | 4.4x |
| Computer Science | $92,305 | 4.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $89,597 | 3.9x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $86,836 | 3.7x |
| Industrial Engineering | $81,475 | 3.5x |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $74,756 | 3.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $70,772 | 3.0x |
| Chemistry | $70,396 | 3.0x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $67,589 | 2.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,444 | 2.9x |
| Applied Mathematics | $65,973 | 2.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,858 | 2.8x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $65,513 | 2.8x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $65,481 | 2.8x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $64,513 | 2.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,297 | 2.8x |
| Marketing | $59,736 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,305 | 2.5x |
| Agriculture, General | $56,642 | 2.4x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $54,831 | 2.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,246 | 2.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,889 | 2.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,099 | 2.2x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $50,978 | 2.2x |
| City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning | $50,917 | 2.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $50,780 | 2.2x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $49,798 | 2.1x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $49,636 | 2.1x |
| Mathematics | $49,264 | 2.1x |
| Dance | $49,264 | 2.1x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $49,187 | 2.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,966 | 2.1x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $48,908 | 2.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,857 | 2.1x |
| Geography and Cartography | $48,307 | 2.1x |
| Public Administration | $48,152 | 2.1x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $47,206 | 2.0x |
| Biology, General | $46,634 | 2.0x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,095 | 2.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,020 | 2.0x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $45,833 | 2.0x |
| History | $45,815 | 2.0x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $45,793 | 2.0x |
| Music | $45,336 | 1.9x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $44,434 | 1.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $44,227 | 1.9x |
| Social Work | $44,094 | 1.9x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $43,064 | 1.9x |
| Psychology, General | $42,730 | 1.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $42,286 | 1.8x |
| Sociology | $42,281 | 1.8x |
| International/Global Studies | $41,400 | 1.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,931 | 1.8x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $40,898 | 1.8x |
| Animal Sciences | $40,091 | 1.7x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $38,157 | 1.6x |
| Public Health | $37,605 | 1.6x |
| Philosophy | $36,701 | 1.6x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $35,783 | 1.5x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,494 | 1.5x |
| Anthropology | $35,316 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $35,078 | 1.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $34,279 | 1.5x |
| International Relations and National Security StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $20,547 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Texas State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $56,906 10 years after starting, $11,906 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.2 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.