Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas · Public · 83.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 49/100 · Below Average Value
Angelo State University scores 49 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution's fundamental challenge is a 44.0% completion rate — fewer than half of enrolled students earn a degree. Median 6-year earnings of $36,100, a 13.3-year payback period, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.554 round out a below-average profile. The in-state tuition of $8,460 and $15,091 net price are low, which keeps the absolute debt modest ($20,000 median). However, low cost only helps students who complete their degrees. The repayment rate of 73.8% at three years is below average, signaling that many borrowers are not making progress. Nursing is the institution's best-performing program: 83 graduates, $73,544 year one, $81,432 at four years, B+-grade ROI. The International Relations and National Security Studies program (20 graduates) earns $53,246 year one and $87,991 at four years with an A-grade ROI — unusual strength for this field at a regional school. Finance, Marketing, and Business Administration post C-to-B-range ROIs. The program tail is weak: Kinesiology (87 graduates) earns $29,528 year one with a D-grade; Psychology (73 graduates) earns $27,630 year one with a D-grade; Computer and Information Sciences (48 graduates) earns $25,439 year one with a D-grade — an unusually weak CS outcome relative to the field.
Angelo State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,460/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,300/yr |
| Average net price | $15,091/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $60,364 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,116 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $212 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 44.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,643 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Angelo State University is $8,460/year ($18,300/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,091/year, or roughly $60,364 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,008/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,368/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $212 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $50,116 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,008 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,910 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,787 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,958 |
| $110,001+ | $22,368 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $12,008 per year — a low net price. Over four years, roughly $48,000. For low-income students who complete nursing or engineering and graduate, the financial case is defensible. The 44% completion rate means low-income students face heightened risk: debt without a degree is a real possibility for a majority of enrolled students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $14,787 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $17,958. Middle-income families at these net prices face a straightforward calculus: nursing and security-track graduates can service the debt; social sciences and general studies graduates face a 13-plus year payback at the institutional average.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $22,368 per year — roughly $89,472 over four years. At a 13.3-year payback and $36,100 median earnings, full-pay at Angelo State is marginal by earnings-to-cost metrics. Higher-income Texas families should compare against UT-Austin, Texas A&M, or Texas Tech, which offer stronger brand value and earnings outcomes at comparable or only modestly higher net prices.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Angelo State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $44,296 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $54,543 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,743 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $81,432 | B+ |
| Psychology | $45,910 | D |
| Social Work | $50,651 | D |
| Biology | $48,938 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,853 | C |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $31,780 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $57,583 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (83 graduates) is Angelo State's strongest program: $73,544 year one, $81,432 at four years, B+-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.338, median debt $24,875). The low net price combined with strong nursing earnings produces favorable debt service for graduates. Nursing in the West Texas market, including San Angelo hospitals and the Goodfellow AFB medical community, creates real employment demand. This is the clearest positive ROI at Angelo State.
International Relations and National Security Studies
International Relations and National Security Studies (20 graduates) earns $53,246 year one and $87,991 at four years — an unusually strong A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.208, median debt $11,066). The Goodfellow AFB presence and intelligence community connections likely channel these graduates into defense, intelligence, and security-sector roles that pay well. The cohort is small and may not be statistically stable, but the directional signal is strong for students interested in national security pathways.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (88 graduates) earns $35,958 year one and $54,543 at four years — C-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.577, median debt $20,758). West Texas business labor markets have limited wage scale compared to Texas metros, which caps outcomes for regional business graduates. The four-year figure of $54,543 is modest. Students who plan to stay in the San Angelo area have a functional path; students expecting to compete in Austin or Dallas markets may find the credential underwhelming.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (51 graduates) earns $35,955 year one and $54,853 at four years — C-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.612, median debt $22,000). The Goodfellow AFB and law enforcement presence in the region creates employment pathways for CJ graduates. The four-year trajectory to $54,853 reflects advancement into investigative, corrections management, and federal law enforcement roles. Outcomes are modest but functional relative to the $15,091 net price.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 67.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 73.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 61.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 64.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 83.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 440-560 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 470-590 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-24 |
| Enrollment | 5,643 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,211 |
At 83.0%, Angelo State is broadly accessible with a broad SAT/ACT range. The primary risk is not admission but completion: at 44.0%, the majority of enrolled students do not earn a degree. Students should assess their own completion risk — financial stability, academic preparation, and support systems — before committing to enrollment. The $15,091 net price means incomplete degree attempts create modest but real debt without a credential.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Angelo State's Scorecard peer schools include Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M-Texarkana, University of Northern Colorado, University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Washburn University (KS). These are all regional public universities with similar size, open-access missions, and below-average ROI scores. Angelo State's 49 score is consistent with this peer group. Among Texas regionals, Corpus Christi and Texarkana face similar completion and earnings challenges. The common thread is that low cost provides a floor but does not overcome the completion gap and earnings limitations of regional Texas labor markets.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo State University (this school) | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Washburn University | 51 | $15,280 | $49,774 |
| University of Northern Colorado | 50 | $17,760 | $52,231 |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | 47 | $13,466 | $46,769 |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana | 36 | $12,997 | $45,515 |
Who Thrives Here
Angelo State admits 83.0% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 440-560 Math and 470-590 Reading; ACT composite 18-24. Enrollment of 5,643 is mid-sized for a Texas regional public. Pell grant rate of 27.6% reflects significant lower-income representation. The campus serves the San Angelo, Texas area — a mid-sized West Texas city with a large military presence (Goodfellow AFB) that shapes some program strengths. Students who enter nursing, civil engineering, or security-related programs and complete their degrees can build solid careers from Angelo State. Students who drift into general studies, psychology, or social sciences at this institution face poor earnings outcomes.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Angelo State University is mixed. At $15,091 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $50,116 ten years after entry - a payback period of 13.3 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include a 44.0% graduation rate and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,000 against $50,116 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.