Texas A & M International University
Laredo, Texas · Public · 44.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 68/100 · Fair Value
Texas A&M International University scores 68 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a mixed result anchored by exceptional cost efficiency and undermined by weak completion and repayment outcomes. The net price of $3,637 per year is among the lowest in the CampusROI database, making TAMIU one of the most affordable universities in Texas. Total four-year net cost of $14,548 is extraordinary. Against that cost, the 46.5% completion rate and 68.1% one-year repayment rate represent real structural weaknesses: fewer than half of students graduate, and many borrowers are not reducing their principal after leaving. Median 6-year earnings of $36,000 are modest but contextualized by Laredo's regional labor market. The earnings premium score of 98 -- driven by comparing earnings to non-degree holders in this region -- is the standout metric. Registered Nursing dominates the high-ROI outcomes at 127 graduates ($75,009 year-one, A grade). TAMIU serves a predominantly Hispanic student body with a 64.5% Pell rate -- the institution's mission is genuine access for a historically underserved population. The financial outcomes reflect both the school's cost advantage and the completion challenge common to open-access universities serving first-generation students.
Texas A & M International University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,894/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $19,454/yr |
| Average net price | $3,637/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $14,548 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,386 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $159 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 46.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 6,667 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Texas A & M International University is $7,894/year ($19,454/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 $3,637/year, or roughly $14,548 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $3,097/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $10,697/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $15,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $159 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,386 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.42 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $3,097 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,745 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $3,840 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $4,982 |
| $110,001+ | $10,697 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families in the $0-$30,000 bracket pay $3,097 per year at TAMIU -- near zero after federal aid. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually pays less ($2,745), an unusual inversion in the aid schedule. For low-income students in the Laredo region, TAMIU represents a pathway to higher education at essentially no cost. The completion rate of 46.5% is the primary risk; students should develop a strong support plan from day one.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $3,840 per year. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $4,982. TAMIU's cost structure is exceptional across all income bands. Even at the higher end of the middle-income schedule, $4,982 per year is a fraction of national university costs. The value case is strong for middle-income families if the student completes the degree.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $10,697 per year at TAMIU -- still very low by any national comparison. The low absolute cost changes the ROI calculus: even programs with modest earnings (Criminal Justice, Business Administration) deliver strong returns when the total investment is $14,548 to $40,000 depending on aid. High-income families who choose TAMIU are likely Laredo-connected; this is not a school most high-income families outside South Texas would consider primarily.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Texas A & M International University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,833 | C+ |
| Psychology | $39,993 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $83,327 | A |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $48,187 | C+ |
| Biology | $53,125 | D |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $48,990 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,261 | D |
| Accounting | $50,614 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,350 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $45,454 | C |
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
Registered Nursing is TAMIU's clearest high-return program: 127 graduates, $75,009 year-one, $83,327 at year four, A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.183) with median debt of $13,750. Against a total four-year net cost of $14,548, this is an extraordinary cost-to-earnings ratio. Nursing graduates in South Texas access a healthcare labor market with genuine hiring demand. This is one of the most financially efficient nursing pathways in the CampusROI database.
Systems Engineering
Systems Engineering at TAMIU posts $49,755 year-one, $60,126 at year four, A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.206) with 35 graduates and median debt of $10,243. Against near-zero net price, the debt figure is impressively low. Year-one earnings of nearly $50k from an engineering program at a university with a $3,637 net price is a strong return. This program's outcomes are understated because the absolute earnings look modest but the cost context makes them compelling.
Accounting
Accounting earns 59 graduates, $35,528 year-one, $50,614 at year four, B-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.366) with median debt of $13,000. Accounting in the Laredo market means primarily regional public accounting and corporate roles. Year-one earnings of $35k are modest in absolute terms but against a $14,548 four-year net cost they represent a reasonable return. The four-year trajectory to $50k is limited but realistic for regional accounting careers.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice is one of the largest programs at 178 graduates: $30,739 year-one, $48,833 at year four, C+-grade (debt-to-earnings 0.504) with median debt of $15,500. These are modest earnings, but against TAMIU's near-zero cost, the C+ grade holds. Laredo's border security and law enforcement employment base provides a regional hiring context. The year-four figure of nearly $49k reflects career progression into supervisory and federal roles.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 56.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 63.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 44.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 420-530 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 470-560 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 16-22 |
| Enrollment | 6,667 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 64.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,203 |
TAMIU admits 44.4% of applicants, placing it in the moderately selective range despite its access mission. SAT 420-530 Math and 470-560 Reading and ACT 16-22 represent a wide range. Nursing and Systems Engineering programs likely carry higher admission standards than the university generally. The bilingual environment and border location are defining characteristics that attract students seeking an institution with deep roots in the South Texas-Mexico border economy.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
TAMIU's Scorecard peers include Angelo State University, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and University of Michigan-Dearborn. Among Texas regional universities, TAMIU's cost structure is exceptional -- no comparable school approaches $3,637 in net price. Angelo State has stronger completion rates and similar program profile. Corpus Christi is a Gulf Coast regional campus with comparable demographics and outcomes. For students prioritizing cost minimization in Texas higher education, TAMIU is the most price-efficient option among its peers.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M International University (this school) | 68 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | 72 | $9,492 | $59,649 |
| Empire State University | 61 | $11,676 | $54,080 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 54 | $15,301 | $51,871 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
Who Thrives Here
TAMIU admits 44.4% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 420-530 Math and 470-560 Reading; ACT composite 16-22. The university serves the Laredo community and surrounding border region -- a primarily Hispanic, bilingual population. Enrollment of 6,667 students with a 64.5% Pell rate reflects the institution's access mission. Students who can navigate the completion challenge (support services, financial aid management) and enter nursing, engineering, or accounting will find strong returns against the near-zero net cost. Laredo's border economy creates specific labor market conditions that shape graduate employment.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Texas A & M International University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $3,637 per year leads to $14,548 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $48,386 a decade out. The payback period of 11.5 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 46.5% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $15,000 against $48,386 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.