Texas Lutheran University
Texas Lutheran University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Texas Lutheran University at a Glance
Texas Lutheran University (TLU) is a private Evangelical Lutheran university in Seguin, Texas.
1891
135 years old
$100M
$100.2 million (2024)
1,400
Identity
Is Texas Lutheran University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Texas Lutheran University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,863 — 0% above average — while paying $24,654/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% 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 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Texas Lutheran University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Texas Lutheran University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #72 of 140 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #72 | Texas Lutheran University | 30 | $24,654 | $53,863 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Texas Lutheran University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in TX.
Best Programs at Texas Lutheran University
The highest-earning program at Texas Lutheran University is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $44,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $23,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate from Texas Lutheran University earns $44,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $23,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduates carry $27,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,654/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $44,700 | $44,700 | $27,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,500 | $41,500 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,800 | $39,800 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $36,600 | $36,600 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,100 | $28,100 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Seguin, TX
- Student Body
- 1,304 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,654
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,863
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000