Compare 49 Sports Studies. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $46,214.
With top graduates earning $70,754, Sports Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $24K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige across Texas's 49 ranked programs.
Southern Methodist University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $70,754, followed by Rice University at $62,105. The average across all Texas programs is $46,214, yet these outcomes demonstrate how program-specific factors drive success more than overall school reputation in this specialized field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice University graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Texas Woman's University leads with a 15.5% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $70,754 | 86 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $62,105 | 102 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Manageable |
| #3 | $59,336 | 21 | $23,250 | Good | $18,989 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $58,417 | 453 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $57,339 | 247 | $20,500 | Good | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Abilene Christian UniversityPrivate | $55,898 | 72 | $24,250 | Good | $26,542 | Challenging |
| #7 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $53,255 | 126 | $19,218 | Good | $13,471 | Manageable |
| #8 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $52,099 | 475 | $21,000 | Good | $22,500 | Challenging |
| #9 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | $51,999 | 43 | $24,803 | Good | $28,135 | High |
| #10 | $51,305 | 47 | $26,000 | Manageable | $34,374 | High | |
| #11 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $50,913 | 93 | $23,000 | Good | $50,786 | High |
| #12 | $50,417 | 245 | $19,250 | Good | $23,211 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $50,300 | 46 | $17,750 | Good | $13,000 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $49,191 | 58 | $19,500 | Good | $12,719 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $49,061 | 355 | $20,500 | Good | $13,859 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $48,916 | 235 | $17,527 | Good | $12,313 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $48,766 | 95 | $22,934 | Manageable | $14,224 | Challenging | |
| #18 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $48,596 | 349 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | High |
| #19 | $48,162 | 222 | $19,606 | Good | $17,125 | Challenging | |
| #20 | University Of HoustonPublic | $47,702 | 439 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Challenging |
| #21 | $47,656 | 44 | $29,000 | Manageable | $19,929 | High | |
| #22 | $47,520 | 305 | $12,950 | Excellent | $8,107 | Manageable | |
| #23 | Concordia University TexasPrivate | $46,907 | 14 | $21,852 | Manageable | $25,137 | High |
| #24 | $46,419 | 141 | $21,983 | Manageable | $19,433 | High | |
| #25 | $46,105 | 146 | $23,409 | Manageable | $18,080 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →