Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi at a Glance
Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi is a public research university on Ward Island in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. It is part of the Texas A&M University System and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
1947
79 years old
$21M
$21.3 million (2022)
10,855
712
396 acres
Identity
Is Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,865 — 4% below average — while paying $15,225/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 37% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #143 of 179 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 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #143 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 31 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 17 in TX.
Best Programs at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
The highest-earning program at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Marketing at $20,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi earns $61,500, while a Marketing graduate earns $20,600. 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 $23,990 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Marketing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,225/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 | $61,500 | $61,500 | $23,990 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $53,800 | $53,800 | $24,958 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $50,900 | $50,900 | $27,660 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $43,300 | $43,300 | $26,609 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,300 | $41,300 | $24,510 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,100 | $35,100 | $24,075 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,200 | $34,200 | $25,920 |
| History | $32,000 | $32,000 | $22,675 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,600 | $30,600 | $24,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,200 | $30,200 | $23,875 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,200 | $30,200 | $20,575 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $28,400 | $28,400 | $26,788 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,300 | $27,300 | $22,875 |
| Psychology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $23,232 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $23,500 |
| Biology, General | $26,700 | $26,700 | $22,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,700 | $25,700 | $28,375 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $20,600 | $20,600 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Student Body
- 8,034 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,225
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,865
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000