Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View A & M University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Prairie View A & M University at a Glance
Prairie View A&M University is a public historically black (HBCU) land-grant university in Prairie View, Texas, United States. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest public HBCU in Texas and the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state. It offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master's degrees and four doctoral degree programs through eight colleges and the School of Architecture. PVAMU is the largest HBCU in the state of Texas and the third largest HBCU in th…
1876
150 years old
$149M
$148.5 million
10,085
486
1,440 acres
Identity
Is Prairie View A & M University Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Prairie View A & M University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,411 — 16% below average — while paying $13,570/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 59% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Prairie View A & M University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Prairie View A & M University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #70 of 124 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #70 | Prairie View A & M University | 36 | $13,570 | $45,411 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Prairie View A & M University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in TX.
Best Programs at Prairie View A & M University
The highest-earning program at Prairie View A & M University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $71,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Prairie View A & M University earns $71,800, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $22,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $20,762 in median debt vs. $34,700 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,570/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $71,800 | $71,800 | $20,762 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,200 | $70,200 | $22,643 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,700 | $68,700 | $27,253 |
| Chemical Engineering | $61,500 | $61,500 | $29,500 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $40,600 | $40,600 | $31,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,100 | $38,100 | $31,771 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,300 | $36,300 | $35,912 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $35,800 | $35,800 | $36,671 |
| Marketing | $29,500 | $29,500 | $31,906 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,100 | $29,100 | $29,980 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $26,800 | $26,800 | $31,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,700 | $26,700 | $31,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,200 | $25,200 | $31,000 |
| Psychology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $29,397 |
| Agriculture, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $29,551 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $22,000 | $22,000 | $34,700 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Prairie View, TX
- Student Body
- 8,877 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,570
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,411
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000