Sociology at Texas A & M International University

The most striking aspect here is the trajectory, not the starting point. While Texas A&M International's sociology graduates earn just $23,384 in their first year—bottom 5th percentile nationally—they see 57% earnings growth by year four, reaching $36,697. That's nearly on par with the national median and represents one of the steeper growth curves you'll see for this major.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable: $15,812 is well below both the national and Texas median of $25,000. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.7, which means graduates can theoretically pay off loans within a year once their earnings stabilize. This matters significantly in Laredo, where 63% of students receive Pell grants and many are first-generation college students for whom any debt carries weight.

The critical caveat is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, so individual circumstances heavily skew these numbers. The very low first-year earnings likely reflect the Laredo economy and perhaps part-time work while students transition into careers. For families prepared for a slow initial launch followed by solid mid-career earnings, this program delivers reasonable value at a manageable debt level. But if your student needs strong immediate earnings to service loans or support family, consider that rocky first year carefully.