Prairie View A&M combines open access admission with strong economic mobility outcomes, ranking in the 92.3rd percentile for converting educational opportunity into career advancement. The university serves predominantly lower-income students with controlled debt levels and comprehensive program offerings.
As modestly below average, driven by lower absolute earnings compared to educational investment
With above-average performance, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels relative to outcomes
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for underserved populations
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for underserved populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisPrairie View A&M delivers affordable education with manageable debt burdens despite modest post-graduation earnings. Graduates earn a median of $45,411 ten years after enrollment, with earnings distributed from $23,973 at the 25th percentile to $65,217 at the 75th percentile.
While earnings fall $7,855 below expectations based on student demographics, ranking at the 22.8th percentile nationally on this measure, the institution maintains exceptionally low debt levels at $27,000 median, compared to a peer median of $21,105. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 indicates that graduates can manage their educational investment, though it requires careful financial planning.
Students from lower-income backgrounds seeking affordable engineering, nursing, or criminal justice programs with strong community support. Well-suited for first-generation college students and those prioritizing access over selectivity.
Prairie View A&M delivers economic mobility outcomes despite modest median earnings.
Prairie View A&M admits approximately 75.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Prairie View A&M within the Open Access category, significantly more accessible than highly selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that Prairie View A&M maintains slightly more selective standards than typical institutions with similar characteristics, though the difference is modest at 9.3 percentage points. This level of accessibility means that most academically prepared students can expect admission, with the university prioritizing broad educational access over exclusivity.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Prairie View A&M's published cost of attendance reaches $25,958 annually, including $11,299 in-state tuition, $26,874 out-of-state tuition, $10,317 for room and board, and $1,571 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $14,041 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,917 from the sticker price.
This net price sits virtually identical to the peer median of $14,093, indicating competitive affordability within Prairie View A&M's institutional category. The substantial financial aid savings reflect the university's commitment to serving lower-income students, with aid packaging designed to make higher education accessible to families with limited resources.
For Texas residents, the in-state tuition advantage significantly reduces the base cost compared to out-of-state students, who face the higher $26,874 tuition rate. The comprehensive cost structure includes essential expenses beyond tuition, providing families with realistic budgeting expectations for the full college experience.
Financial aid effectiveness varies significantly by family income level, with the most generous support directed toward students from households earning less than $30,000 annually. Understanding both sticker price and net price helps families assess true affordability and plan appropriate financing strategies.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
27 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
58 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
90 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
24 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
19 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Washington University Similar quality tier (#225 ranked) | WA | 90% | $61,580 | #225 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Prairie View A & M University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/prairie-view-a-m-university/analysis.
Strong access and mobility outcomes
Prairie View A&M University ranks #222 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with mobility performance at the 92.3rd percentile reflecting top-tier performance. Located in Prairie View, Texas, this medium-sized public historically black university maintains open access with a 75.3% acceptance rate while serving a predominantly lower-income student population.
Prairie View A&M enrolls 62.4% Pell-eligible students and 33.5% first-generation students, placing it well above typical institutions on access measures. The university falls within the Under-Resourced Institutions category, reflecting institutions that prioritize broad educational access despite facing resource constraints.
Graduates earn $45,411 ten years after enrollment, placing Prairie View A&M at the 27th percentile nationally for median earnings. However, the institution demonstrates strong performance in converting access into economic advancement opportunities for underserved student populations through targeted program offerings and support systems.
Students should view Prairie View A&M as an accessible option that provides genuine higher education opportunity without the uncertainty associated with highly competitive admission processes. The open access approach aligns with the university's mission to serve underrepresented populations, including first-generation college students and those from lower-income backgrounds.
Applicants should focus on demonstrating readiness for college-level work rather than competing against restrictive admission quotas, making Prairie View A&M a reliable choice for students seeking educational advancement.
Prairie View A&M graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth from early to mid-career phases. Median earnings rise from $36,350 six years after enrollment to $39,649 at eight years and $45,411 at ten years, representing 24.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial ten-year cohorts of 2,897 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures across diverse academic programs. Earnings span a considerable range, with the 75th percentile reaching $65,217 while the 25th percentile stands at $23,973, reflecting a 2.7:1 ratio that indicates significant variation based on program choice and career trajectory.
Low-income graduates earn $39,200, demonstrating Prairie View A&M's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 27.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
While absolute earnings levels rank below national averages, the consistent upward trajectory supports long-term career development.
Prairie View A&M offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Electrical and Electronics Engineering leads with median earnings of $90,895, ranking #119 nationally and #12 in Texas with 27 graduates annually.
Chemical Engineering produces strong outcomes at $86,785 median earnings, ranking #70 nationally and #8 in Texas with 58 graduates. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing delivers exceptional value with $84,269 median earnings, ranking #66 nationally and #4 in Texas while graduating 90 students annually and achieving a value score of 76.3.
Artificial Intelligence shows emerging strength at $80,128 median earnings with 24 graduates. Mechanical Engineering maintains solid outcomes at $69,757 median earnings with 70 graduates annually.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents the university's largest program with 126 graduates earning $39,074, reflecting Prairie View A&M's comprehensive program portfolio serving diverse career interests and aptitudes.
Eastern Kentucky University Similar quality tier (#226 ranked) | KY | 78% | $45,795 | #226 | Compare |
James Madison University Similar quality tier (#219 ranked) | VA | 76% | $69,954 | #219 | Compare |
Central Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#228 ranked) | CT | 76% | $58,562 | #228 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Tyler Similar quality tier in Southwest (#215 ranked) | TX | 92% | $57,053 | #215 | Compare |
