Information Science/Studies at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech's Information Science program starts graduates at a slightly below-average salary nationally but then something interesting happens: earnings jump 40% by year four to $77,185, surpassing the national 75th percentile. Among Texas information science programs, this places it solidly in the middle of the pack—roughly $20,000 behind the state's top performer (Strayer-Texas) but well ahead of several university alternatives. The $25,000 debt load is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 that most graduates should be able to handle comfortably.

What sets this program apart is that trajectory after graduation. While first-year earnings of $55,081 won't blow anyone away, the steep climb suggests graduates are gaining valuable skills that employers reward quickly. This pattern often indicates a program preparing students for roles with clear advancement paths rather than dead-end entry positions. With a robust sample size backing these numbers, this isn't a statistical fluke.

For families weighing in-state options in Texas, Tech offers a solid middle ground: better long-term outcomes than UNT or South University-Austin, reasonable debt, and a proven track record of graduate career growth. The value here isn't in the starting salary—it's in where graduates end up four years later.