Marketing at Texas A&M University-Kingsville

The small sample size here is crucial—with under 30 graduates, a few outliers could dramatically skew these numbers. That said, the patterns are concerning enough to warrant careful consideration. While this program starts at just $32,000—landing in the bottom 5% nationally—earnings jump substantially to $50,635 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing. However, even that four-year mark trails the Texas median of $43,941 for first-year marketing grads, and sits far below what students earn at UT Austin ($59,000) or TCU ($68,000) right out of the gate.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable relative to that first-year salary, but the opportunity cost is real. Most Texas A&M-Kingsville students come from working-class backgrounds (55% receive Pell grants), and starting $12,000 below the state median means delaying major financial milestones. At the 25th percentile among Texas marketing programs, this program underperforms three-quarters of in-state alternatives. The strong earnings growth rate offers hope, but you're essentially banking on your child's ability to overcome a weak starting position in a competitive field where networking and early career momentum matter significantly. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to attend—location, family circumstances, or a specific scholarship—exploring other Texas public options would likely put your child on firmer financial ground from day one.