Texas Southern University
Houston, Texas · Public · 96.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 10/100 · Poor Value
Texas Southern University scores 10 (Poor Value) -- among the lowest scores on this site -- driven by a 22.2% completion rate, a 52.6-year payback period, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.957. These figures reflect an institution where fewer than one in four enrolled students graduates and where the typical graduate's debt is almost equal to their full year of earnings. Median 6-year earnings of $30,300 against $29,000 median debt creates a structurally impossible near-term repayment scenario for many graduates. The one-year repayment rate of 37.0% signals acute borrower distress. TSU is a historically Black public university in Houston with a specific mission serving students who have few other options. The Pell rate of 72.3% indicates a predominantly low-income student body. Finance is the strongest program (19 graduates, $53,873 year-one, $70,201 year-four, C grade). Civil Engineering (26 graduates, $71,595 year-four) is not reported for year-one. The vast majority of programs produce D or F grade ROI outcomes, with debt-to-earnings ratios ranging from 0.788 to 1.899. The completion rate and repayment data dominate the story here; the per-program earnings in high-demand fields are not terrible, but the institutional infrastructure to get students through to graduation appears inadequate.
The data raises concerns about Texas Southern University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score10/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate22.2% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Texas Southern University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,173/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $21,473/yr |
| Average net price | $16,590/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $66,360 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,924 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $29,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $307 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 22.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 6,844 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Texas Southern University is $9,173/year ($21,473/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 $16,590/year, or roughly $66,360 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $16,437/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,610/year.
The median graduate leaves with $29,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $307 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $38,924 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.96 - 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 | $16,437 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,115 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,280 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,698 |
| $110,001+ | $21,610 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $16,437 per year at TSU. For a 72% Pell population, this is a meaningful cost against earnings of $30,300. The near-zero state appropriation per student embedded in TSU's budget structure means the school charges low-income students prices that are high relative to what they will earn -- a structural problem that the Scorecard data reflects clearly.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $21,280, rising to $22,698 for the 75001-110000 tier. Middle-income families actually pay more than the lowest tier despite presumably having greater means. The net price schedule is relatively flat across all income bands, ranging from $16,437 to $21,610, suggesting limited income-based aid differentiation.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $21,610 per year -- slightly below the 75001-110000 tier, an unusual reversal. Against a 52.6-year payback period and $30,300 median earnings, the full-pay case at TSU is limited to students with specific reasons (Houston ties, specific HBCU mission, specific program) to choose it. Engineering and finance completers can produce reasonable outcomes; most other programs cannot.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Texas Southern University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $55,321 | F |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,961 | F |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $53,203 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $44,953 | F |
| Psychology | $47,185 | F |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $48,426 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $56,482 | D |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $51,195 | C |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $62,728 | C |
| Social Work | $49,871 | 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.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering (26 graduates) is TSU's highest-earning program by four-year figure: $71,595 at year four (year-one not reported). Houston's infrastructure and energy sectors create demand for civil engineers, and TSU's program is positioned to serve that market. The ROI grade is not reported due to missing year-one data, but the four-year earnings are strong for a public HBCU. Engineering completers have meaningfully different financial outcomes than the institutional average.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (19 graduates) is the strongest ROI program with reported full data: $53,873 year-one, $70,201 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.612 (C grade) on median debt of $32,987. Year-one earnings are well above the school median and the four-year trajectory to $70k reflects Houston financial services placement. The C grade reflects that debt is present and the ratio is not clean, but earnings are defensible for completers.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (66 graduates) earns a D grade: $40,304 year-one, $53,203 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.911 on median debt of $36,720. The debt figure is very high relative to year-one earnings, creating significant early-career repayment pressure. The year-four recovery to $53k is workable for graduates who advance in management, but the near-term cashflow is strained.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (68 graduates) earns an F grade: $29,763 year-one, $45,961 at year four, debt-to-earnings 1.218 on median debt of $36,250. Graduates are borrowing more than their entire first year of wages. The field typically leads to law enforcement and corrections roles with modest starting salaries and high debt burdens relative to those starting wages.
Biology
Biology (90 graduates) earns an F grade: $31,779 year-one, $55,321 year-four, debt-to-earnings 1.079 on median debt of $34,302. Like other biology programs at access-oriented schools, the near-term data captures pre-professional students in low-wage positions before medical or graduate school. But the debt level is severe: $34,302 median debt at year-one earnings of $31,779 creates an impossible near-term repayment ratio.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 37.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 48.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 30.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 38.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 96.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 380-480 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 420-520 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 15-19 |
| Enrollment | 6,844 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 72.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,730 |
TSU's 96.9% admission rate reflects near-open access. Test score ranges (ACT 15-19 composite) confirm the school serves students across a wide preparation spectrum. The enrollment decision at TSU requires realistic assessment of completion risk. The university's Houston location provides access to major employers, but students must complete the degree to access those opportunities.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
TSU's Scorecard peer set includes Angelo State University, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Albany State University, Middle Georgia State University, and Jackson State University -- a mix of public access-oriented and HBCU institutions. TSU (ROI 10) scores near the bottom of any comparison group. Jackson State and Albany State have higher completion rates and stronger aggregate outcomes. The HBCU mission and Houston location are real assets, but the 22.2% completion rate fundamentally limits what the Scorecard data can show. Institutional retention and support investment would do more to improve outcomes than any program-level change.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Southern University (this school) | 10 | $16,590 | $38,924 |
| Alabama A & M University | 10 | $17,621 | $40,628 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 10 | $12,653 | $35,550 |
| Philander Smith University | 10 | $14,224 | $38,427 |
| Savannah State University | 10 | $8,172 | $37,981 |
| Lincoln University | 10 | $19,092 | $39,463 |
Who Thrives Here
TSU admits 96.9% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 380-480 Math and 420-520 Reading, ACT 15-19 -- scores that indicate many students arrive with limited academic preparation. Enrollment of 6,844 is sizeable for a HBCU. The 72.3% Pell rate underscores that TSU primarily serves low-income students in Houston. The 22.2% completion rate means the school's ability to carry students from enrollment to graduation is severely limited. Students who do complete find better outcomes in STEM, finance, and health sciences, but reaching completion requires navigating an environment where most peers do not.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Texas Southern University. With a net cost of $16,590 per year and median graduate earnings of only $38,924 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 22.2% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $29,000 against $38,924 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
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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.