Analysis
Nationwide, engineering-related bachelor's programs typically launch graduates at around $69,000 in first-year earnings—exactly where this Texas State program appears to land based on peer institutions. With estimated debt around $25,000, you're looking at a debt burden equivalent to just 37% of that first year's salary, which falls comfortably within the conventional "manageable" threshold of 100% or less.
The challenge here is transparency: because Texas State's graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish, these figures reflect what similar engineering-related programs produce nationally rather than Texas State's specific track record. In a field where program quality and industry connections matter enormously, that uncertainty carries weight. Engineering-related degrees encompass everything from engineering technology to surveying to materials science—programs with vastly different career trajectories—and without Texas State's actual outcomes, you can't know where this particular program sits within that spectrum.
For a student committed to engineering-adjacent work and drawn to Texas State's location in the Austin metro area (a major tech hub), the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. But given the school's broad admissions profile and the absence of verifiable outcomes data, you'd want concrete evidence of internship placements, employer relationships, and graduate employment before committing—especially when comparing against UT Austin or Texas A&M programs with documented results.
Where Texas State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering-related fields bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Engineering-Related Fields bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11,450 | $68,919* | — | $25,236* | — | |
| $62,484 | $100,788* | $141,630 | —* | — | |
| $60,952 | $79,755* | $94,324 | $26,975* | 0.34 | |
| $15,988 | $76,563* | $82,682 | $23,756* | 0.31 | |
| — | $76,149* | $84,356 | $31,000* | 0.41 | |
| $12,051 | $76,149* | $84,356 | $31,000* | 0.41 | |
| National Median | — | $68,919* | — | $25,368* | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering-related fields graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Industrial Engineers
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
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 State University, approximately 36% 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 national median of 31 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.