Median Earnings (1yr)
$71,409
95th percentile (80th in TX)
Median Debt
$16,880
28% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.24
Manageable
Sample Size
145
Adequate data

Analysis

Texas A&M's finance program punches well above its weight in the Texas market. Starting at $71,409, graduates earn 36% more than the typical Texas finance major and rank in the 80th percentile statewide—trailing only the more selective UT Austin and SMU while matching or exceeding outcomes from TCU and Baylor. The trajectory looks even better by year four, when median earnings reach $91,000, a 27% jump that suggests strong career progression in banking, corporate finance, or financial services.

The financial equation here is remarkably straightforward: $16,880 in median debt against $71,000 in starting salary produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in three months of gross salary. That's less than half the national median debt for finance programs. With A&M's relatively accessible 63% admission rate, this represents one of the clearest value propositions in Texas finance education—elite-level outcomes without private school debt or Ivy League selectivity.

The only consideration is whether your child can secure admission to UT Austin, which delivers $10,000 higher starting salaries. Otherwise, A&M's combination of strong recruiting relationships, lower debt burden, and proven earning power makes it a straightforward choice for students targeting finance careers in Texas or beyond.

Where Texas A&M University-College Station Stands

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

Texas A&M University-College StationOther finance and financial management services programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Texas A&M University-College Station graduates compare to all programs nationally

Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn $71k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all finance and financial management services bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

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

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Texas A&M University-College Station$71,409$90,976$16,8800.24
Southern Methodist University$83,159$113,839$19,5000.23
The University of Texas at Austin$81,844$95,994$20,5000.25
Texas Christian University$78,453$90,933$19,5000.25
University of Phoenix-Texas$70,963$59,017$48,4690.68
Baylor University$67,909$86,622$23,0000.34
National Median$53,590—$23,3320.44

Other Finance and Financial Management Services Programs in Texas

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Southern Methodist University
Dallas
$64,460$83,159$19,500
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin
$11,678$81,844$20,500
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth
$57,220$78,453$19,500
University of Phoenix-Texas
Dallas
—$70,963$48,469
Baylor University
Waco
$54,844$67,909$23,000

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 Texas A&M University-College Station, approximately 19% 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 145 graduates with reported earnings and 148 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.