Finance and Financial Management Services at West Texas A & M University

West Texas A&M's finance program produces graduates earning roughly $10,000 less than the Texas median for this major—a significant gap when nearly every other Texas finance program delivers stronger starting salaries. At $42,650 in year one, graduates here rank in just the 25th percentile statewide and the 5th percentile nationally. For context, UT Austin finance grads start near $82,000, and even the state median sits at $52,581. The modest 5% earnings bump over four years suggests limited early career momentum.

The silver lining is manageable debt. At $21,000, graduates owe slightly less than typical finance majors, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49—workable, though not impressive given the earnings shortfall. The nearly 97% admission rate and moderate SAT scores (1072) signal this program serves students who might not access Texas's elite finance schools, but that accessibility doesn't fully offset the earnings disadvantage.

For families comparing options, the question is straightforward: can your student access one of Texas's stronger finance programs? If so, the earnings premium would likely justify marginally higher costs. If West Texas A&M represents the realistic option due to admission standards or geography, understand that breaking into higher-paying finance roles may require additional hustle—networking, internships, or pursuing graduate credentials down the road to compensate for the degree's limited market positioning.