Management Information Systems and Services at Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Texas A&M-San Antonio serves a predominantly working-class student body—half receive Pell grants—and keeps debt manageable at $21,033. Based on comparable MIS programs across Texas, graduates typically earn around $52,836 in their first year. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means students would carry debt equal to roughly five months of gross pay, a workable burden that most could handle while building their careers in IT.

The earnings estimate, however, reveals a significant gap. Similar programs at UT Austin or Texas A&M's flagship campus in College Station produce first-year earnings 30-65% higher. Even peer programs at UNT and University of Houston show substantially stronger outcomes. Part of this likely reflects the school's open-access mission and student profile, but it also suggests employers may value degrees from more selective institutions differently in the competitive Texas tech market.

For families prioritizing affordability and access, this program delivers both—the debt load is reasonable and the school welcomes students who might not gain admission elsewhere. But parents should understand their child will likely start their tech career earning well below what graduates from flagship programs command, which could affect long-term career trajectory and earnings growth in a field where initial job placement often matters considerably.