West Texas A & M University
West Texas A & M University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
West Texas A & M University at a Glance
West Texas A&M University is a public university in Canyon, Texas, United States. It is the northernmost campus of the Texas A&M University System and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It was established on September 20, 1910, as West Texas State Normal College as one of the seven state-funded teachers' colleges in Texas.
1910
116 years old
$209M
US$208.6 million (2026)
10,051
7,338 undergrad · 2,603 grad
350
342 acres
Identity
Is West Texas A & M University Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, West Texas A & M University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,741 — 6% below average — while paying $19,487/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% 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 99% 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 West Texas A & M University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How West Texas A & M University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #111 of 152 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #111 | West Texas A & M University | 33 | $19,487 | $50,741 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of West Texas A & M University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 18 in TX.
Best Programs at West Texas A & M University
The highest-earning program at West Texas A & M University is Computer Science at $70,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $23,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from West Texas A & M University earns $70,600, while a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate earns $23,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,487/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $70,600 | $70,600 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,800 | $60,800 | $20,202 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $57,900 | $57,900 | $21,006 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,300 | $44,300 | $23,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $43,700 | $43,700 | $28,932 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $42,500 | $42,500 | $15,000 |
| Music | $39,600 | $39,600 | $25,374 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $38,200 | $38,200 | $22,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $35,100 | $35,100 | $22,457 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,900 | $34,900 | $18,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,500 | $34,500 | $22,086 |
| Marketing | $34,200 | $34,200 | $21,875 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $32,800 | $32,800 | $18,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,700 | $31,700 | $20,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $31,500 | $31,500 | $21,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $25,750 |
| Biology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $18,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,000 | $29,000 | $23,250 |
| Social Work | $28,600 | $28,600 | $21,287 |
| Psychology, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $18,750 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $20,000 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | $24,000 | $24,000 | N/A |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Canyon, TX
- Student Body
- 6,917 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,487
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,741
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500