Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Texarkana, Texas · Public · 63.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 36/100 · Poor Value
Texas A&M University-Texarkana is a small public university in Texarkana, Texas, enrolling approximately 1,982 students. Its overall ROI score of 36 falls in the Poor Value tier, driven primarily by an exceptionally low 30% completion rate — fewer than one in three students earns a degree within the typical timeframe. That completion challenge overshadows otherwise reasonable cost metrics: in-state tuition of $8,349 and a net price of $12,997 are modest, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is serviceable. Median six-year earnings of $34,800 are below average for bachelor's degree holders, and the payback period of 18.3 years reflects the gap between earnings outcomes and even this modest cost. With 53% of students receiving Pell Grants, the institution serves a high-need population in the Texas-Arkansas border region. The nursing program is the institution's clear standout, producing graduates earning $67,768 one year out. TAMU-Texarkana carries the Texas A&M brand name, which provides some labor market signal, but the branch campus context differs substantially from the flagship's resources and outcomes.
The data raises concerns about Texas A&M University-Texarkana
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score36/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate29.6% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period18.3 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,349/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $45,080/yr |
| Average net price | $12,997/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $51,988 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,515 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,953 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $201 |
| Estimated payback period | 18.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 29.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,982 |
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-Texarkana is $8,349/year ($45,080/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 $12,997/year, or roughly $51,988 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,002/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,268/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,953 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $201 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $45,515 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 | $11,002 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,494 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,432 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,871 |
| $110,001+ | $18,268 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from families earning under $30,000 face a net price of $11,002 — very low in absolute terms and reflective of strong federal and state grant support. At this price, even modest earnings outcomes may yield a positive return for completers. The critical variable is completion: students who do not finish face debt without credential, which is the primary financial risk for low-income students at any institution with a 30% completion rate.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students ($48,001–$75,000) pay $14,432 in net price — still manageable for a Texas public university. The investment case rests on completion and program selection. Nursing completers at this income level face an excellent return; students in general studies or social sciences face longer payback periods but low absolute debt levels.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($110,000-plus) pay $18,268 in net price — modest even by public university standards. For out-of-state families, the $45,080 out-of-state tuition makes TAMU-Texarkana a poor financial choice. In-state students from higher-income backgrounds should compare this institution against Texas A&M Corpus Christi or Angelo State, where completion rates and program breadth are stronger.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Texas A&M University-Texarkana with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $45,585 | C |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $47,135 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $41,358 | C |
| Biology | $56,504 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,676 | C |
| Psychology | $42,355 | D |
| Accounting | $49,822 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $67,768 | B |
| Electrical Engineering | $50,207 | - |
| History | $41,460 | 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
Nursing is the institution's strongest financial program. Graduates earn $67,768 one year out — double the institutional median — and carry median debt of $28,663, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 that earns a B grade. With 13 graduates annually, the cohort is small. The program addresses genuine healthcare workforce needs in the Texarkana regional labor market, where rural health access is a persistent concern.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest tracked program with 59 graduates. One-year median earnings of $36,948 are modest, rising to $45,585 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 earns a C grade against $22,250 in median debt. At a low in-state net price, the business program offers a credential path that is financially manageable if students complete the degree; the institution-wide attrition challenge is the primary risk.
Biology
Biology graduates earn $31,567 one year out and $56,504 at four years, likely reflecting pre-professional pathways into health-related graduate programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 earns a C grade. Students pursuing biology here should plan explicitly for graduate or professional school, as bachelor's-level biology earnings are modest. The four-year trajectory suggests many graduates do pursue advanced credentials.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice graduates earn $32,971 one year out and $42,676 at four years, reflecting placement into public safety and corrections roles in the Texas-Arkansas region. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 earns a C grade. The 29 annual graduates serve regional law enforcement and government agencies. This program's outcomes are typical for criminal justice at access-oriented public institutions.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 58.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 63.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 63.5% |
| Enrollment | 1,982 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 52.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,835 |
TAMU-Texarkana admitted 64% of applicants based on available data. No standardized test score ranges are reported. The institution uses the Texas A&M brand but operates as a regional access institution rather than a selective campus. Transfer students from local community colleges (including Texarkana College) are a significant portion of the student body, and the institution is designed to accommodate that pathway.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
TAMU-Texarkana's peers include Angelo State University, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and Montana State Billings — all regional access institutions serving non-metropolitan populations. Among this group, Angelo State has higher completion rates and stronger aggregate earnings outcomes, and its A&M affiliation provides similar brand value. Students comparing these schools should prioritize whichever campus offers the best net price for their specific program and has the infrastructure to support their completion.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana (this school) | 36 | $12,997 | $45,515 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | 39 | $14,838 | $45,937 |
| Montana State University Billings | 34 | $16,524 | $44,296 |
| Missouri Western State University | 29 | $13,251 | $42,647 |
Who Thrives Here
TAMU-Texarkana primarily serves working adults and traditional students in the Texarkana metro who cannot or choose not to relocate for education. The 64% admit rate and absence of published test scores signal a broad-access institution. The 53% Pell rate indicates that the majority of students come from low- and moderate-income families. Students who thrive here are locally rooted, often balancing work and family responsibilities alongside coursework. Nursing is the clearest high-return pathway; students without a defined career path face real attrition risk.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Texas A&M University-Texarkana. With a net cost of $12,997 per year and median graduate earnings of only $45,515 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 18.3 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 29.6% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $18,953 against $45,515 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.