Interior Architecture at Stephen F Austin State University

With earnings of $38,538 and manageable debt of $23,250, Stephen F Austin's Interior Architecture program sits squarely in the middle for Texas but lags significantly behind national standards. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 suggests graduates can handle their loan burden—most will pay less than their first year's salary—the low national ranking (5th percentile) raises questions about career outcomes. That said, the program's 40th percentile standing among Texas schools provides important context: it's neither the strongest nor weakest option in-state, performing closer to UT San Antonio than to top programs like UNT.

The small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a few exceptional careers or unlucky outcomes could skew the numbers substantially. Interior Architecture can also be a field where earnings accelerate as professionals build their client base and reputation, so first-year figures may not capture the full picture.

For families weighing this program, the decision hinges on alternatives. If your child can access University of North Texas or Texas Tech (where graduates earn $32-50% more), those represent stronger investments. But if SFA's location, culture, or scholarship offer makes it the realistic choice, the debt load won't sink them—they'll just need to be strategic about their first job and committed to building their portfolio and network from day one.