Family and Consumer Economics at Texas State University

Texas State's Family and Consumer Economics program sits in an unusual position: it outperforms three-quarters of similar programs nationally but falls behind the only other Texas school offering this degree. Graduates start at $45,666—solidly above the national median of $40,141—yet earn about $5,000 less than the Texas median and roughly $8,000 less than Texas Tech graduates in the same field.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings trajectory. Most graduates see income gains in their first years after college, but these alumni actually earn slightly less four years out than they did initially. Combined with the fact that debt loads here sit in the 83rd percentile nationally (meaning higher than most comparable programs), the financial picture requires careful consideration. The $19,822 in typical debt isn't crushing—it's actually below both state and national medians for this major—but the flat-to-declining earnings mean that debt burden won't shrink as quickly as it might elsewhere.

For a Texas family, this creates a real dilemma. Your child would likely do better financially at Texas Tech if admitted there, but Texas State's 89% admission rate makes it far more accessible. The program delivers decent first-year outcomes and manageable debt, making it workable for students who need this specific credential. Just understand that unlike most bachelor's degrees, early earnings may represent the peak rather than the starting point.