Location: Nacogdoches, TX•In-State Tuition: $10,600•Out-of-State Tuition: $20,680•Admission Rate: 88%•Avg SAT: 1074
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,256
Est. from national median (8 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,110
Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

Peer programs in Family and Consumer Sciences Business Services typically produce first-year earnings around $40,000—modest but not alarming given the human services focus of this field. What matters more is whether that income can handle the estimated $23,000 in debt, and a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates should be able to manage payments on a standard 10-year plan, even if it requires careful budgeting early on.

The challenge here is visibility. With only two Texas schools offering this bachelor's degree and Stephen F Austin's specific outcomes suppressed due to small graduate numbers, you're essentially betting on whether SFA's program performs like its peer at University of Houston (which reports $41,000 in earnings) or like the national median. The estimated figures fall right in line with both benchmarks, but that's cold comfort when you can't see actual data for this particular program. Small cohorts could signal either a specialized niche or limited job market demand—you'd need to dig into what specific careers graduates actually pursue.

For an anxious parent, here's the bottom line: the estimated debt load appears manageable against typical earnings in this field, but you're making an investment decision with incomplete information about this specific program's track record. Before committing, talk to current students and recent graduates about job placement outcomes—their experiences will tell you more than these national proxies can.

Where Stephen F Austin State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all family and consumer sciences/human sciences business services bachelors's programs nationally

Stephen F Austin State University (estimated ±10%)Other family and consumer sciences/human sciences business services programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (2 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches$10,600$40,256*—$23,110*—
University of HoustonHouston$9,711$40,949*$50,613$23,344*0.57
National Median—$40,256*—$23,344*0.58
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with family and consumer sciences/human sciences business services graduates

Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

$159,660/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in childcare, family relations, finance, nutrition, and related subjects pertaining to home management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

$76,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

$69,780/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Farm and Home Management Educators

Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

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 Stephen F Austin State University, approximately 37% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 8 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.