Analysis
Texas Southern's mathematics program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (71%) with an estimated debt load of $19,333—slightly below both state and national medians for math degrees. Based on comparable bachelor's math programs across Texas, graduates typically start around $49,700, which would make the debt burden manageable at less than 40% of first-year earnings.
The challenge lies in the competitive landscape. While the estimated earnings align with the state median, top Texas programs like UT Austin and UTD produce significantly higher outcomes—$10,000 to $25,000 more annually. This gap matters for a math degree, where quantitative skills should command premium salaries in Houston's energy and tech sectors. The school's open admission policy and below-average SAT scores (913) suggest it serves students who may lack access to more selective programs, but parents should understand that starting salary estimates here track closer to the floor than the ceiling for Texas math graduates.
The modest debt relative to estimated earnings offers a safety net, but the real return depends heavily on what students do with the degree. For a student planning graduate school or targeting specific industries where the credential matters more than the institution's brand, this could work. For those expecting the bachelor's alone to launch a lucrative career, the comparison to stronger programs in the same state reveals meaningful ground to make up.
Where Texas Southern University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (70 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Texas Southern UniversityHouston | $9,173 | $49,708* | — | $19,333* | — |
 Southern Methodist UniversityDallas | $64,460 | $74,516* | $79,735 | $21,000* | 0.28 |
 The University of Texas at AustinAustin | $11,678 | $60,011* | $75,618 | $20,500* | 0.34 |
 The University of Texas at DallasRichardson | $14,564 | $58,238* | — | $19,745* | 0.34 |
 University of HoustonHouston | $9,711 | $54,710* | $57,873 | $20,100* | 0.37 |
 University of North TexasDenton | $11,164 | $53,133* | $54,367 | $23,689* | 0.45 |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
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 Southern University, approximately 71% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 21 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.