Prairie View A&M University provides essential access to higher education for students from underrepresented backgrounds, with particularly strong affordability for low-income families.
The university demonstrates clear strengths in professional programs like nursing and engineering, where graduates achieve competitive earnings despite the institution's overall modest outcomes.
Prairie View A&M University serves as a vital access point for higher education in Texas, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a historically black public university, Prairie View enrolls 62% Pell Grant recipients and 33% first-generation college students, reflecting its core mission of providing educational opportunities to those who might otherwise lack access to four-year degrees. The institution ranks in the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility quadrant, indicating strong access but facing resource challenges that affect some outcomes.
While Prairie View's overall earnings outcomes place it in the lower tier nationally, the university demonstrates notable strengths in specific professional programs. Nursing graduates earn a median of $72,891 ten years after enrollment, and chemical engineering majors achieve $70,009 in median earnings, showing that students in certain fields can achieve strong financial returns. The university's 43% six-year graduation rate, while modest, represents meaningful progress for many students who are the first in their families to attend college.
For families prioritizing affordability and access, Prairie View offers compelling value. Low-income students pay just $9,605 annually in net price, well below national averages, while middle-income families face costs around $17,552. This pricing structure, combined with the university's commitment to serving diverse student populations, makes Prairie View an important option for Texas families seeking an affordable path to a bachelor's degree.
Prairie View A&M University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive public university with particular strengths in professional fields. The university's standout programs cluster in health sciences and engineering, where graduates achieve earnings that compete with more selective institutions. Adult Health Nursing leads both in earnings and aggregate return, with 90 graduates earning a median of $72,891, while Chemical Engineering produces 58 graduates with median earnings of $70,009.
The university's most popular program, Exercise Science and Kinesiology, enrolls 126 students but leads to more modest earnings of $25,774, illustrating the importance of program selection at Prairie View. Psychology, another popular field with 74 graduates, shows similar patterns with median earnings of $23,340. This variation suggests that students who choose professional and technical programs can achieve strong outcomes, while those in liberal arts fields may face more challenging career prospects.
For prospective students, Prairie View's program mix offers clear pathways to strong careers in nursing, engineering, and other professional fields, while requiring careful consideration for students interested in broader liberal arts disciplines. The university's strength lies in providing affordable access to professional programs that can deliver meaningful economic mobility for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Prairie View A&M University's earnings outcomes vary significantly by field of study, with some programs delivering strong financial returns while others show more modest results. Overall, graduates earn a median of $45,411 ten years after enrollment, which places the university in the lower tier nationally for earnings performance. However, this broad figure masks important variation across the university's academic programs.
The strongest financial outcomes come from professional programs where Prairie View has developed particular expertise. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the highest-earning major and the program with the greatest aggregate return, with 90 graduates earning a median of $72,891 ten years out. Chemical Engineering also delivers strong results, with 58 graduates achieving median earnings of $70,009. These programs demonstrate that students who choose strategically can achieve earnings that compete with graduates from more selective institutions.
Other popular programs show more mixed results. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, the university's largest program with 126 graduates, leads to median earnings of $25,774, while Psychology majors earn around $23,340. This pattern suggests that career outcomes at Prairie View depend heavily on program selection, with professional and technical fields offering the strongest earning potential. Students considering Prairie View should carefully evaluate their intended major and career goals when assessing the university's fit for their long-term financial objectives.
Prairie View A&M University excels in affordability, particularly for low- and middle-income families who form the majority of its student body. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $9,605 annually, significantly below the national average for public universities. Middle-income families face costs around $17,552, while higher-income students pay approximately $23,032, creating a progressive pricing structure that makes college accessible across income levels.
The university's commitment to affordability extends beyond sticker prices to manageable debt levels. Typical graduates leave with $27,000 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable amount given the university's focus on serving students who might otherwise struggle to afford college. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $14,671, reflecting the reality that many families need additional support but keeping parent debt at manageable levels. Notably, Prairie View maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that despite modest earnings outcomes, graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations.
This affordability profile makes Prairie View particularly valuable for families where college attendance might otherwise be financially challenging. The combination of low net prices, reasonable debt levels, and successful loan repayment creates a sustainable path to a bachelor's degree for students who prioritize access and affordability over maximum earnings potential.
Prairie View A & M University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
