Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Texas Southern University Worth It?
At a value score of 12/100, Texas Southern University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,924 — 28% below average — while paying $16,590/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 21% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 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 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $29,000 representing 75% 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 Texas Southern University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Texas Southern University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #99 of 100 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 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #2 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #3 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #4 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #5 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #6 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #99 | Texas Southern University | 12 | $16,590 | $38,924 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Texas Southern University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in TX.
Best Programs at Texas Southern University
The highest-earning program at Texas Southern University is Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other at $48,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $18,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other graduate from Texas Southern University earns $48,500, while a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate earns $18,300. 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: Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other graduates carry $31,615 in median debt vs. $35,000 for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,590/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $48,500 | $48,500 | $31,615 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $47,400 | $47,400 | $26,994 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,100 | $35,100 | $37,209 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,400 | $34,400 | $31,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $34,200 | $34,200 | $27,750 |
| Marketing | $34,100 | $34,100 | $31,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,400 | $33,400 | $28,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $33,300 | $33,300 | $25,481 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $31,200 | $31,200 | $31,317 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,000 | $31,000 | $30,965 |
| Chemistry | $29,900 | $29,900 | $18,750 |
| Psychology, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $32,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $28,600 | $28,600 | $28,750 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $41,375 |
| Biology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $30,250 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $22,300 | $22,300 | $20,180 |
| Journalism | $20,900 | $20,900 | $33,906 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $18,300 | $18,300 | $35,000 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Houston, TX
- Student Body
- 6,844 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 21%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,590
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,924
- Median Student Debt
- $29,000