Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Texas A&M University-Kingsville at a Glance
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a public research university in Kingsville, Texas, United States. It is the southernmost campus of the Texas A&M University System. The university developed the nation's first doctoral degree in bilingual education. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
1925
101 years old
$116M
$115.7 million
6,092
512
1,600 acres
Identity
Is Texas A&M University-Kingsville Worth It?
Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers moderate value at $12,090/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,450, which is 4% 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 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% 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 a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Texas A&M University-Kingsville compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #56 of 178 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #56 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville | 46 | $12,090 | $51,450 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Texas A&M University-Kingsville's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in TX.
Best Programs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville
The highest-earning program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $62,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Texas A&M University-Kingsville earns $62,100, while a Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduate earns $21,500. 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 $20,750 in median debt vs. $18,082 for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,090/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 | $62,100 | $62,100 | $20,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,100 | $58,100 | $19,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,800 | $48,800 | N/A |
| Chemical Engineering | $46,800 | $46,800 | $18,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $45,100 | $45,100 | $23,000 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $39,400 | $39,400 | $24,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $38,800 | $38,800 | $31,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $38,700 | $38,700 | $18,575 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,300 | $37,300 | $21,495 |
| Agriculture, General | $36,800 | $36,800 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,900 | $35,900 | $19,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $35,200 | $35,200 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,600 | $33,600 | $24,543 |
| Plant Sciences | $33,400 | $33,400 | $25,500 |
| Marketing | $31,500 | $31,500 | $22,500 |
| Criminology | $30,700 | $30,700 | $22,313 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,600 | $28,600 | $24,062 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $21,750 |
| History | $27,500 | $27,500 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $20,063 |
| Sociology | $24,600 | $24,600 | $21,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $21,677 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $21,500 | $21,500 | $18,082 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kingsville, TX
- Student Body
- 4,748 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,090
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,450
- Median Student Debt
- $22,934