Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, Texas · Public · 88.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 48/100 · Below Average Value
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) scores 48 -- Below Average Value. The numbers split sharply by sub-score. Earnings premium is solid at 61 (27.7% wage lift), and the payback period of 11.9 years is competitive. Median earnings of $39,100 at six years and $51,865 at ten years against $23,000 median debt produce a 0.588 debt-to-earnings ratio. In-state tuition is $9,748, net price $15,225, four-year cost $60,900 -- on the affordable end for a Texas public regional comprehensive. The clear drag is persistence: completion is just 40.2% (sub-score 22) and three-year repayment is 66.8% (sub-score 32). Pell rate of 42.9% indicates a substantial first-generation student body, and the access mission shows in those numbers. The standout strengths are the nursing program (218 graduates -- huge cohort, B+ ROI grade with $71K starting earnings) and the engineering programs. Where TAMUCC excels: high-ROI career-track programs in nursing, engineering, and computer/information sciences. Where it struggles: students who arrive without clear career plans and end up in lower-ROI majors with persistence challenges.
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,748/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,794/yr |
| Average net price | $15,225/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $60,900 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,865 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $244 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 40.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 8,034 |
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 University-Corpus Christi is $9,748/year ($20,794/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 $15,225/year, or roughly $60,900 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,445/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,426/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $244 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $51,865 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - 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 | $11,445 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,961 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,180 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,479 |
| $110,001+ | $23,426 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $11,445 net -- well below the $15,225 average. Four-year cost is around $45,800, against $51,865 in 10-year median earnings. The math works for low-income Texas students, especially in nursing and engineering. Pell stacking on already-low Texas tuition makes this a defensible public option.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $14,180 net, four-year cost roughly $56,700. Still slightly under the $51,865 10-year earnings figure when discounted. Brackets march cleanly upward; the math remains workable for working- and middle-class Texas families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $19,479; above $110,000 net price hits $23,426 -- still well under the $20,794 out-of-state sticker (and reasonable for in-state). Four-year cost at the top tier is roughly $93,700. Even at the highest bracket TAMUCC remains affordable for an in-state Texas student.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $83,329 | B+ |
| Biology | $50,181 | D |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $52,078 | C+ |
| Psychology | $43,269 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,896 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $56,808 | C+ |
| Accounting | $60,160 | C |
| Business Administration and Management | $50,369 | C |
| Marketing | $62,017 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,921 | 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 is TAMUCC's largest professional program: 218 graduates -- one of the highest nursing cohorts in this batch -- earning $71,760 in year one and $83,329 by year four against $25,000 debt (0.348 ratio, B+ grade). South Texas healthcare systems (Driscoll Children's, Christus Spohn, Bay Area) absorb the cohort. A reliable high-ROI pipeline.
Biology
Biology is the largest single program at 177 graduates -- but earnings disappoint. $26,114 in year one rising to $50,181 by year four against $25,000 debt produces a 0.957 ratio and D grade. The TAMUCC location supports marine-biology, but bachelor's-only outcomes follow the national biology pattern: students need to continue to medical, dental, PA, or graduate school to capture real value.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies produces 151 graduates earning $50,040 in year one and $52,078 by year four against $24,816 debt (0.496 ratio, C+ grade). This is typically a degree-completion track for adult learners and transfer students. Solid first-year earnings reflect graduates entering established careers rather than entry-level roles.
Psychology
Psychology produces 121 graduates earning $28,557 in year one and $43,269 by year four against $24,000 debt (0.840 ratio, D grade). National psychology bachelor's earnings are weak; TAMUCC tracks that pattern. Students should plan for graduate school to capture real career value.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering produces 54 graduates earning $66,404 in year one and $82,322 by year four against $28,500 debt (0.429 ratio, B grade). Strong Texas Gulf Coast process-industry, energy, and aerospace demand drives the outcomes. Solid mid-tier engineering ROI; not as strong as Lamar's chemical-engineering pipeline but reliable.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 63.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 66.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 88.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 470-583 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 500-610 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 8,034 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,497 |
TAMUCC admits 88.6% of applicants -- broadly accessible. SAT mid-ranges (Math 470-583, Reading 500-610) and ACT 19-25 reflect a typical mid-tier Texas-public academic profile. The 40.2% completion rate is the concerning number: high admit rates plus modest entering scores plus a high-Pell first-generation cohort create persistence challenges. Prepared applicants face nearly automatic admission; the harder question is finishing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
TAMUCC's peers are well-chosen Texas and regional publics: Angelo State (TX), Texas A&M-Texarkana, Murray State (KY), Toledo (OH), Alaska Anchorage. Within the Texas A&M system, A&M-Texarkana is a direct comparator with similar mission and scale. Angelo State tends to score similarly. Murray State and Toledo are out-of-state peer comprehensives. Against this band TAMUCC sits mid-pack; its nursing and engineering programs differentiate it positively while its broader persistence numbers track the regional-public average.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi (this school) | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 54 | $15,301 | $51,871 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Murray State University | 48 | $9,096 | $44,737 |
| University of Toledo | 48 | $17,249 | $50,632 |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana | 36 | $12,997 | $45,515 |
Who Thrives Here
TAMUCC fits Coastal Bend and South Texas students -- especially future nurses, engineers, marine scientists, and business professionals. Pell rate of 42.9% indicates a substantial first-generation cohort. Enrollment of 8,034 supports comprehensive program selection. The Coastal Bend location is meaningful: the school has a strong marine sciences identity and natural-resources conservation programs unique to the Gulf Coast. Strongest fit: students with clear career plans in nursing, engineering, or marine/coastal sciences. Weaker fit: humanities and general-studies students.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi is mixed. At $15,225 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $51,865 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.9 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 40.2% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $23,000 against $51,865 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.