Management Information Systems and Services at Abilene Christian University

Texas MIS programs show a dramatic spread in first-year outcomes, with UT Austin graduates earning $86,622 and programs like this one clustering around the state median of $52,836. Based on comparable MIS bachelor's programs in Texas, Abilene Christian students can expect to start roughly $20,000 below the national benchmark of $59,490—a meaningful gap in a field where technical credentials typically command premium starting salaries.

The estimated debt of $26,581 exceeds both the state median ($20,500) and sits above the national median ($24,000) for this major. The 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable loan payments, but the real concern is that extra $6,000 in debt paired with below-market earnings. In competitive tech hiring, where many employers recruit heavily from flagship universities, graduates may find themselves at a disadvantage both in compensation and career trajectory.

For families considering this program, the question isn't whether the debt is catastrophic—it isn't. It's whether paying private school prices makes sense when peer MIS programs in Texas produce such varied outcomes. If your student is drawn to ACU's environment specifically, understand they're likely trading $10,000-15,000 annually in starting salary compared to public alternatives, a gap that compounds significantly over a career in technology.