Marketing at Stephen F Austin State University

Stephen F Austin's marketing graduates out-earn their Texas peers right from the start, landing at the 60th percentile statewide with $46,014 in first-year earnings. That's $2,000 above the state median and roughly $1,300 above the national benchmark—a meaningful advantage for a regional university with an 88% admission rate. The $23,500 median debt sits comfortably below both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 that graduates can realistically manage.

The modest 5% earnings growth to year four ($48,426) won't catch the elite programs—UT Austin and TCU grads earn significantly more—but this reflects marketing's broader compensation pattern rather than a program weakness. What matters more: SFA graduates enter the workforce with less debt than most competitors while earning solidly middle-class salaries. For Texas families weighing in-state options, this program delivers reliable outcomes without the financial strain of higher-priced alternatives.

The calculation here is straightforward. Your student gets above-average results at below-average cost, particularly attractive if you're comparing to private universities charging twice the tuition. It's not the fast track to six figures, but it's a sensible foundation for a marketing career that won't burden graduates with unmanageable debt.