Students at Midwestern State University benefit from earnings that consistently exceed expectations, with graduates earning roughly $5,294 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
The university combines this earnings advantage with strong affordability and exceptional outcomes for low-income students, creating meaningful pathways to economic mobility.
Midwestern State University serves as a reliable pathway to middle-class careers for students across Texas and beyond. Located in Wichita Falls, this medium-sized public university combines broad access with solid long-term outcomes, particularly for students from modest backgrounds. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants and 38% are first-generation college students, yet graduates still achieve median earnings of $55,747 ten years after enrollment—meaningfully above what similar students earn at comparable institutions.
What distinguishes Midwestern State is its classification as a "Mobility Engine," reflecting the university's ability to serve students from diverse economic backgrounds while delivering consistent upward mobility. Graduates earn roughly $5,294 more than expected compared with similar students at other institutions, placing the university in a strong position for earnings beyond expectations. The university's strength lies particularly in health sciences, with nursing and allied health programs driving much of the institution's economic impact.
As a public university in Texas, Midwestern State offers the accessibility and affordability families expect from state institutions while maintaining program quality that translates into stable career outcomes. For students seeking a straightforward path to professional careers in healthcare, engineering, or business, the university provides both the academic foundation and the practical training that employers value.
Midwestern State University's program portfolio reflects a clear focus on practical, career-oriented fields that lead directly to stable employment. Allied Health programs dominate both scale and impact, graduating 261 students annually with strong median earnings of $57,755, making it the university's highest aggregate-return program. Nursing represents another cornerstone, with 175 graduates earning $66,631—among the university's highest early-career salaries and reflecting the strong demand for healthcare professionals in Texas.
Engineering, while smaller with 50 graduates, delivers competitive outcomes at $55,964 median earnings, providing students with solid technical career pathways. The university also serves students in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, graduating 168 students with more modest but still reasonable earnings of $36,382, demonstrating the institution's commitment to diverse academic interests while maintaining practical career focus.
This program mix—heavily weighted toward health sciences with supporting strength in engineering—explains much of Midwestern State's ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations. The concentration in professional fields creates clear pathways to middle-class careers while serving the practical workforce needs of Texas and the broader region. Students benefit from programs that combine academic rigor with direct career preparation.
Graduates of Midwestern State University achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that exceed expectations for an institution of this profile. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $55,747, with the university delivering earnings beyond expectations of approximately $5,294 compared with similar students at other institutions. This performance places Midwestern State around the national average for overall earnings while demonstrating meaningful value-added benefits for students who attend.
The university's strongest returns come from its health sciences programs, which dominate both enrollment and outcomes. Allied Health programs graduate 261 students annually with median earnings of $57,755, making it both the largest and highest-return program by aggregate impact. Nursing graduates 175 students per year earning $66,631, representing some of the university's highest early-career salaries. Engineering, while smaller with 50 graduates, delivers competitive outcomes at $55,964 median earnings. These professional programs create clear pathways to stable, well-compensated careers that justify the educational investment.
The university's program mix reflects a practical, career-focused approach that serves students well in the Texas job market. Health sciences and engineering programs provide the foundation for the university's above-average earnings performance, while the concentration in professional fields helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations despite the institution's broad access mission.
Midwestern State University delivers strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay approximately $9,575 annually in net price, well below national averages for public universities. Middle-income families see costs around $11,235 per year, while higher-income students pay about $18,593—all representing reasonable value given the university's solid outcomes and professional program strength.
Debt levels remain manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $21,030 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $14,873. These amounts align well with the university's median earnings of $55,747, creating a sustainable debt-to-income ratio for most graduates. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their repayment obligations. Most borrowers demonstrate steady progress paying down their balances, with repayment rates that exceed national benchmarks in the early post-graduation years.
The combination of reasonable net prices and manageable debt loads makes Midwestern State particularly attractive for families seeking predictable costs and clear return on investment. The university's affordability profile supports its mission as a mobility engine, ensuring that students from diverse economic backgrounds can access quality education without taking on excessive financial risk.
Midwestern State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
