Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, Texas · Public · 57.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 89/100 · Strong Value
Texas A&M University-College Station scores 89 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a high-tier result for a large flagship public. The 6.1-year payback period, 83.9% completion rate, and 88.5% repayment rate at year three define a financially functional institution at scale. Median 6-year earnings are $53,600 against a net price of $21,315. The engineering breadth is exceptional: Computer Engineering (163 graduates, $86,366 year-one, $127,042 year-four, A), Chemical Engineering (234 graduates, $86,176 year-one, A), Computer Science (392 graduates, $86,084 year-one, A) all earn A grades with debt-to-earnings ratios well below 0.30. Finance (308 graduates, A grade, $112,319 year-four), Accounting (298 graduates, B+), and Business Administration (472 graduates, B+) form a strong business pillar. With 59,615 enrolled students, A&M is one of the largest universities in the country, which creates both scale advantages in career networks and research funding and potential disadvantages in student-to-faculty access. Median debt of $17,804 is low relative to program earnings, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.332 that ranks high nationally among large public institutions.
Texas A&M University-College Station scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Texas A&M University-College Station
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,154/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $40,124/yr |
| Average net price | $21,315/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $85,260 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,097 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $53,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,804 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $189 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 83.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 59,615 |
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-College Station is $13,154/year ($40,124/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 $21,315/year, or roughly $85,260 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,784/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,660/year.
The median graduate leaves with $17,804 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $189 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $72,097 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.33 - 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 | $12,784 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,317 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,435 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,520 |
| $110,001+ | $30,660 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $12,784 net price per year -- among the more affordable figures for a major flagship. Total 4-year cost near $51,000 for the lowest-income bracket is reasonable given the earnings data from STEM and business programs. Texas A&M's financial aid for lower-income Texas residents reflects the state's investment in keeping flagship education accessible. The 83.9% completion rate is the key variable -- low-income students who complete earn the same credential as any other graduate.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $17,435 per year and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $26,520 -- a meaningful step up. Middle-income families face total 4-year costs between $70,000 and $106,000. For students entering engineering or CS, these costs pay back in 3-4 years from graduation based on program earnings. For students in business, the payback is slightly longer but still defensible. The wide gap between the two middle brackets suggests the aid formula creates a significant affordability cliff for families just above $75,000.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $30,660 per year -- approximately $122,640 over four years. At $53,600 median 6-year earnings and a 6.1-year payback period, A&M's full-pay investment case is among the strongest of any large public. Engineering graduates who pay full price still earn their degree cost back in under 3 years on CS and chemical engineering earnings. The Aggie brand provides genuine network value that extends well beyond what Scorecard 6-year earnings capture.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Texas A&M University-College Station with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $61,734 | C |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $58,697 | B |
| Psychology | $58,396 | C |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $77,479 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $82,213 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,903 | B+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $62,888 | C |
| Computer Science | $124,283 | A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $64,533 | B |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $69,815 | B |
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.
Computer Science
392 graduates, $86,084 year-one, $124,283 year-four, ROI grade A with debt-to-earnings 0.235 and median debt $20,187. CS at A&M is a flagship-caliber program: high volume, top earnings, and debt that is trivial relative to income. Year-four of $124k is consistent with the top quartile of CS graduate outcomes nationally. The Austin-Dallas-Houston tech corridor absorbs large cohorts of Texas CS graduates annually. At in-state cost, this program represents an exceptional combination of access and outcome.
Chemical Engineering
234 graduates, $86,176 year-one, $111,073 year-four, ROI grade A with debt-to-earnings 0.210 and median debt $18,135. Chemical engineering at A&M feeds directly into Texas's petrochemical, refinery, and energy sector -- one of the highest-density employment markets for ChE graduates in the country. The A grade reflects both high earnings and the lowest median debt-to-earnings ratio of any major engineering program here. Graduates entering the Gulf Coast energy sector early in their careers outperform the national ChE median.
Finance and Financial Management
308 graduates, $71,409 year-one, $112,319 year-four, ROI grade A with debt-to-earnings 0.236 and median debt $16,880. Finance earns the A grade driven by very low median debt ($16,880) and strong four-year earnings trajectory. The year-one to four-year jump from $71k to $112k reflects the Houston and Dallas financial services hiring pipelines that A&M graduates access through the Mays Business School. Low debt is the differentiator here relative to finance programs at higher-cost institutions.
Mechanical Engineering
469 graduates, $77,785 year-one, $97,903 year-four, ROI grade B+ with debt-to-earnings 0.251 and median debt $19,500. Mechanical Engineering is the highest-volume engineering program at A&M. Year-one earnings of $77k and four-year of $97k reflect strong placement into aerospace, energy, defense, and manufacturing. At $19,500 median debt and B+ grade, this program delivers consistent value at a large scale. The Aggie engineering network creates recruiting pipelines with Texas employers that benefit all mechanical engineering graduates.
Agricultural Business and Management
504 graduates -- the highest enrollment program by volume -- $50,509 year-one, $77,479 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.398 and median debt $20,125. Agricultural business reflects A&M's land-grant heritage. Year-four earnings of $77k are solid for an agricultural management track, and the B grade reflects adequate debt-to-earnings at moderate cost. Students in agribusiness, commodity trading, and food/agriculture corporate roles cite A&M's reputation and alumni network as career assets.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 86.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 88.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 57.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-710 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-31 |
| Enrollment | 59,615 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,776 |
A 57.4% admission rate at this institution understates the de facto selectivity for competitive programs like engineering and CS, which have internal admission thresholds above the overall rate. SAT Math 570-710 and Reading 580-690 describe the overall admitted pool; students targeting engineering should assume Math requirements at the upper end of that range. ACT composite 25-31 is the parallel benchmark. The institution's size means admission is more accessible than the academic reputation might suggest, but program-specific admissions create a second screen.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
A&M's Scorecard peers include Purdue, Virginia Tech, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Angelo State, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Among major research flagships, A&M (ROI 89) competes directly with Purdue and Virginia Tech on engineering depth and cost efficiency. Purdue's slightly lower net price and strong CS/engineering reputation make it a frequent side-by-side comparison. Virginia Tech similarly specializes in STEM with strong alumni outcomes. A&M's advantage is scale -- the Aggie network in Texas is unmatched within the state -- and its combination of strong non-STEM programs (agriculture, business) alongside elite engineering.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University-College Station (this school) | 89 | $21,315 | $72,097 |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | 91 | $14,600 | $72,424 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 89 | $24,953 | $81,698 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | 83 | $24,406 | $74,479 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
Who Thrives Here
Texas A&M admits 57.4% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 570-710 Math and 580-690 Reading; ACT composite 25-31. At nearly 60,000 enrolled students, the campus experience is large-university by design -- students who thrive in that environment and can navigate a 100+ major catalog will find substantial resources. The 19.6% Pell rate is below the state average for publics, reflecting the campus's competitive admission and middle-to-upper-income student composition. The Aggie network -- alumni employment connections -- is one of the most cited career assets in the state. Students targeting engineering, business, agriculture, or STEM will find strong program depth.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Texas A&M University-College Station delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $21,315 per year ($85,260 over four years), graduates earn a median of $72,097 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.1 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 83.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $17,804 is very manageable against $72,097 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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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.