Students at Texas State University experience exceptional economic mobility, with the institution ranking in the top 1% nationally for transforming access into meaningful financial outcomes.
The university particularly excels at helping low-income and first-generation students achieve strong long-term earnings while maintaining affordable net prices for families across the income spectrum.
Texas State University delivers exceptional value as a mobility-focused institution that transforms access into meaningful economic outcomes. Located in San Marcos, this large public university serves a diverse student body where 36% receive Pell Grants and 36% are first-generation college students, yet consistently produces graduates who achieve strong financial success. The university's commitment to upward mobility places it in the coveted "Mobility Engine" category—institutions that combine broad access with outstanding outcomes for low-income students.
Texas State's graduates earn a median of $56,906 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong performance among students from low-income backgrounds who earn $48,300 at the ten-year mark. This represents some of the best mobility outcomes in the country, ranking in the 99th percentile nationally for overall mobility performance. The university's diverse program portfolio, spanning everything from high-earning computer science degrees to popular fields like exercise science and interdisciplinary studies, provides multiple pathways to career success.
What makes Texas State distinctive is its ability to serve a broad range of students while maintaining strong graduation rates and earnings outcomes. With a 56% six-year graduation rate and affordable net prices across income levels, the university proves that accessibility and quality outcomes can coexist effectively in public higher education.
Texas State University's program portfolio reflects the diverse career interests of its student body while maintaining strong connections to Texas's growing economy. Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies leads in total impact with 544 graduates earning median salaries of $44,328, serving students who want flexibility to combine multiple fields of study. Exercise Science and Kinesiology attracts 475 students annually, leading to careers in fitness, health promotion, and related fields with median earnings of $34,140—typical for this sector but offering strong job security and growth potential.
Computer Science represents the university's highest-earning program, with 232 graduates achieving median earnings of $72,274 two years after graduation. This reflects the strong demand for technology talent in Austin, San Antonio, and other Texas metropolitan areas where many graduates find employment. The program's size allows for meaningful industry connections while maintaining quality outcomes that compete with more selective institutions.
The university's strength lies in offering pathways into stable, middle-class careers rather than concentrating solely on elite professional tracks. Programs span education, business, liberal arts, and health sciences—fields that form the backbone of Texas's economy and provide graduates with reliable career prospects. This broad approach serves the diverse interests and backgrounds of Texas State's student body while ensuring that most graduates can achieve meaningful economic advancement regardless of their chosen field.
Texas State University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the institution's diverse academic strengths. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $56,906, positioning the university at the 60th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. While overall earnings are competitive, the real strength lies in how consistently different programs prepare students for stable, well-paying careers across multiple industries and sectors.
The university's program mix drives varied but generally strong outcomes across fields. Computer Science stands out with graduates earning $72,274 ten years out, reflecting the strong demand for tech talent in Texas's growing metropolitan areas. Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies, the university's largest program by aggregate return with 544 graduates, produces median earnings of $44,328 while serving students with diverse career interests. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, popular with 475 graduates, leads to median earnings of $34,140, typical for health and fitness-related careers that often provide additional non-monetary benefits and job security.
Texas State's strength lies in providing accessible pathways into stable middle-class careers rather than concentrating solely on the highest-earning fields. The university graduates substantial numbers of students across education, business, health sciences, and liberal arts—fields that form the backbone of Texas's diverse economy and provide graduates with reliable, long-term career prospects throughout the state.
Texas State University offers strong affordability across all income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay an average net price of $12,144 annually, well below national averages and reflecting the university's commitment to need-based aid. Middle-income families see net costs around $16,117 per year, while higher-income students pay approximately $23,150—all representing competitive pricing for a comprehensive public university experience.
The university's debt structure supports sustainable borrowing patterns that align well with graduate earning potential. Typical federal student loan debt of $21,000 remains manageable given the median earnings of $56,906 that graduates achieve by the ten-year mark. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $17,400, a moderate level that reflects many families' ability to contribute directly to educational costs without over-leveraging their financial future.
What makes Texas State particularly sustainable financially is the combination of reasonable upfront costs and reliable post-graduation earnings. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations. This strong repayment performance, combined with accessible net prices and diverse program options, creates a financial model that works for students from varied economic backgrounds seeking predictable returns on their educational investment.
Texas State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
