Texas State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$45,800
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,716/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
412%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Texas State University's in-state tuition costs $11,450 per year. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $42,210, which is more than three times the annual tuition cost. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $46,716, and after ten years, earnings reach $56,906. The median student loan debt is $21,000, and 42.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.5. This indicates that the median debt is about half of the first year's salary.
Based on the first-year earnings and the median debt, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the cost of education, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$11,450
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,716
Graduation Rate
56%
Receive Financial Aid
43%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $50,898 | 594% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,099 | 647% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $92,652 | 2418% |
| Psychology, General | $42,730 | 238% |
| Marketing | $59,736 | 980% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,308 | 394% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $50,780 | 589% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,858 | 1248% |
| Social Work | $51,233 | 609% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $77,659 | 1763% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,857 | 505% |
| Biology, General | $46,634 | 408% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.