International/Global Studies at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech's International Studies program delivers earnings that fall short of what most Texas students in this field achieve. While the $33,504 first-year salary edges just above the national median, it lands in the 40th percentile among Texas programs—notably below the state's $36,305 median. That's a meaningful gap when programs at UT Austin and Texas A&M launch graduates at earnings nearly $10,000 higher.

The debt picture looks more reasonable, with $21,500 matching both state and national medians for a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64. That's a manageable starting point that shouldn't trigger financial alarm. The real question is whether Texas Tech's program offers advantages beyond these basic numbers—perhaps in specific career pathways, internship networks, or graduate school placement—that might justify choosing it over stronger-earning alternatives within the state system.

Here's the critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. For families weighing Texas public universities, consider that comparable programs at UT Austin or Texas A&M deliver substantially better early earnings while requiring similar debt loads. If Lubbock's location or Texas Tech's specific program strengths align with your student's goals, the debt load is workable. Otherwise, the earnings gap suggests looking at higher-performing options within the UT or A&M systems.