Architectural Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Texas A&M-Kingsville's architectural engineering program produces graduates earning $55,459 in their first year—about $9,000 below the state median and $18,000 below the national average. While the program lands at the 40th percentile among Texas schools (middle-of-the-pack performance), it ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of architectural engineering programs produce better-earning graduates. For context, UT Austin's program generates starting salaries of $73,510, nearly $18,000 more annually. That gap compounds significantly over a career.

The manageable debt load of $24,743 (yielding a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio) offers some reassurance—graduates should be able to handle their monthly payments. However, this reasonable debt picture doesn't offset the earnings disadvantage. A graduate from this program would need roughly 13 months of their entire salary to pay off their debt, while potentially earning substantially less than peers from other programs for years to come.

For families considering this program, the tradeoff is clear: accessible admission and lower debt, but significantly compromised earning potential in a competitive field. If your child is set on architectural engineering and staying in-state, exploring UT Austin or other Texas options that deliver higher returns would be financially prudent. This program may make sense for students who need the geographic accessibility of Kingsville, but they should enter with realistic salary expectations.