Location: Huntsville, TX•In-State Tuition: $9,228•Out-of-State Tuition: $19,020•Admission Rate: 85%•Avg SAT: 1055
Median Earnings (1yr)
$53,281
48th percentile
60th percentile in Texas
Median Debt
$27,253
17% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.51 ManageableSample: 117 graduates

Analysis

Sam Houston State's finance program occupies a practical middle ground in Texas's competitive finance education landscape. Graduates earn $53,281 initially and $61,212 by year four—figures that trail elite private universities like SMU ($83,159) but exceed the Texas median by $700. More importantly, this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, meaning it outperforms most Texas finance programs despite Sam Houston's accessible 85% admission rate and moderate SAT profile. The 15% earnings growth over four years shows graduates build momentum after entry-level positions.

The financial equation works strongly in students' favor here. With median debt of just $27,253—lower than 95% of finance programs nationally—graduates face a manageable 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio. A typical monthly payment would consume roughly 6% of gross income, leaving room for savings and lifestyle flexibility that peers at higher-debt institutions won't enjoy. For context, many Texas finance programs saddle students with $5,000-$10,000 more debt for similar or lower earnings.

This program makes sense for students seeking solid finance credentials without gambling on admission to UT Austin or paying private school premiums. You're trading the ceiling of elite Dallas or Austin networks for predictable outcomes and financial breathing room after graduation. The value proposition is straightforward: mid-market earnings at budget-friendly debt levels, particularly appealing for the 40% of students here receiving Pell grants who need career advancement without crushing repayment burdens.

Where Sam Houston State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

Sam Houston State UniversityOther finance and financial management services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Sam Houston State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Sam Houston State University earns $53k — 48th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Sam Houston State University$53,281$61,212+15%
Southern Methodist University$83,159$113,839+37%
The University of Texas at Austin$81,844$95,994+17%
Texas A&M University-College Station$71,409$90,976+27%
Texas Christian University$78,453$90,933+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (59 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville$9,228$53,281$61,212$27,2530.51
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas$64,460$83,159$113,839$19,5000.23
The University of Texas at AustinAustin$11,678$81,844$95,994$20,5000.25
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth$57,220$78,453$90,933$19,5000.25
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station$13,099$71,409$90,976$16,8800.24
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas—$70,963$59,017$48,4690.68
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Sam Houston State University, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 117 graduates with reported earnings and 112 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.