Students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi achieve earnings that exceed expectations by roughly $4,369 compared with similar students at other institutions, reflecting meaningful economic advantages.
The university particularly excels at supporting low-income students into stable, well-paying careers that create pathways to middle-class financial security.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi ranks among public universities that consistently deliver strong value for students from diverse backgrounds. Nearly 40% of students receive Pell Grants and about 39% are first-generation college students, yet graduates achieve earnings that exceed expectations by roughly $4,369 compared with similar students at other institutions. This combination of broad access and meaningful economic outcomes places the university in the "Mobility Engine" category—institutions that open doors widely and convert that access into real financial progress.
The university's strength lies in its ability to support students into stable, well-paying careers despite serving a population that faces significant financial constraints. With median 10-year earnings of $51,865 and particularly strong outcomes for low-income students who earn about $46,700, the institution demonstrates how a regional public university can create pathways to middle-class stability. Located in Corpus Christi, the university combines the accessibility of a medium-sized public institution with program strengths in high-demand fields like nursing and emerging technology areas.
For families seeking predictable affordability paired with meaningful economic advancement, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers a compelling combination. The university proves that strong financial outcomes don't require elite selectivity—instead, they can emerge from focused programs, dedicated support systems, and a commitment to helping students from all backgrounds achieve their potential.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on career-oriented fields that connect directly to regional employment opportunities. The nursing program stands out as both the largest high-return program and the university's economic engine, graduating 270 students annually with median earnings of $62,422. This combination of scale and strong outcomes makes nursing the institution's flagship program for students seeking immediate career entry and solid financial returns.
Biology represents the university's largest program by enrollment with 180 graduates, though earnings of $29,540 reflect the field's typical pattern of serving as preparation for graduate school or entry-level positions in healthcare and research. The emerging Artificial Intelligence program, while smaller with 63 graduates, delivers impressive early-career earnings of $54,748, positioning the university well in the expanding technology sector.
The university's program mix emphasizes practical, professionally-oriented fields that align with South Texas employment patterns. Healthcare programs like nursing provide immediate career entry with strong earning potential, while technology programs position students for growth in emerging sectors. This focused approach helps explain why graduates consistently achieve earnings beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
Graduates of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that exceed what similar students typically earn elsewhere. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $51,865, with the university delivering earnings beyond expectations of roughly $4,369 compared with similar students at other institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the institution's ability to prepare students for stable careers and help them outperform typical outcomes for their academic and demographic profile.
The university's strongest returns come from its nursing program, which graduates 270 students annually with median earnings of $62,422—creating the highest aggregate return among all programs. Biology represents the largest program by enrollment with 180 graduates, though earnings are more modest at $29,540, reflecting the field's typical trajectory toward graduate school or entry-level positions. Artificial Intelligence, a smaller but growing program with 63 graduates, delivers strong early-career earnings of $54,748, positioning students well in the expanding tech sector. The university's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that connect directly to regional employment opportunities, particularly in healthcare, technology, and life sciences.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families with varying financial circumstances. Low-income students pay about $10,936 per year after aid, well below national averages for public universities, while middle-income families see annual costs around $14,374. Even higher-income families pay $22,683, a reasonable figure for a comprehensive public university that delivers meaningful economic returns.
Debt levels remain manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $23,000—a moderate amount that aligns well with the university's median earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,606, reflecting families' willingness to invest in their students' education while keeping debt at sustainable levels. The university's loan repayment patterns show healthy progress, with borrowers consistently outperforming national medians for balance reduction in the early years after graduation, indicating that graduates can comfortably service their educational debt while building their careers.
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
