Stephen F Austin State University
Stephen F Austin State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Stephen F Austin State University at a Glance
Stephen F. Austin State University is a public university in Nacogdoches, Texas, in the United States. Named after Stephen F. Austin, one of the founders of Texas, SFA was founded as a teachers college in 1923 and built on part of the homestead established by prominent Texan, Thomas Jefferson Rusk.
1917
109 years old
$133M
$133.0 million ( FY 2024) (SFA only) $47.47 billion (FY2024) (system-wide)
10,472
9,048 undergrad · 1,424 grad
769
406 acres
Identity
Is Stephen F Austin State University Worth It?
Stephen F Austin State University offers moderate value at $14,260/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,634, which is 8% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 53% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Stephen F Austin State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #65 of 174 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #65 | Stephen F Austin State University | 46 | $14,260 | $49,634 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Stephen F Austin State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 21 in TX.
Best Programs at Stephen F Austin State University
The highest-earning program at Stephen F Austin State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $62,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Stephen F Austin State University earns $62,100, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,700. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,315 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,260/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,100 | $62,100 | $24,315 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $48,200 | $48,200 | $25,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $45,700 | $45,700 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,700 | $42,700 | $26,122 |
| Music | $40,600 | $40,600 | $24,325 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,700 | $39,700 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,300 | $39,300 | $24,173 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $37,500 | $37,500 | $26,158 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $35,200 | $35,200 | $20,341 |
| Marketing | $34,100 | $34,100 | $21,660 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $33,800 | $33,800 | $27,559 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,100 | $32,100 | $26,727 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,900 | $31,900 | $20,250 |
| Social Work | $31,800 | $31,800 | $28,100 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,600 | $31,600 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,299 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $31,400 | $31,400 | $26,773 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $30,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,200 | $28,200 | $27,515 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $25,772 |
| Psychology, General | $26,700 | $26,700 | $27,000 |
| History | $24,800 | $24,800 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $24,700 | $24,700 | $31,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,100 | $23,100 | $26,558 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,700 | $22,700 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Nacogdoches, TX
- Student Body
- 8,728 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,260
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,634
- Median Student Debt
- $23,409