Stephen F Austin State University
- Graduation Rate
- 53% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,634 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,260 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,114,549.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 22% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Stephen F Austin State University Matters
Stephen F Austin State University is a public university in Nacogdoches, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 8,728
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology
Why students choose Stephen F Austin State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 970–1170. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,260 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,634 ten years after enrolling — 22% above the typical college, against $23,409 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 29% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.61 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 94%, Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX, is a welcoming choice for many students. It’s an excellent fit for those pursuing degrees in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, and Communications. The campus atmosphere is vibrant, catering to a diverse array of interests, which can make the college experience enjoyable and fulfilling.
After graduation, students see an average earnings of about $49,634 within ten years. This provides a solid foundation for those entering the workforce. While the graduation rate stands at 53%, many graduates find pathways to success in their chosen fields. The affordability of education here is worth noting, especially with a net price of $14,260, making it accessible for many students.
On the financial side, graduates leave with a median debt of $23,409. This manageable debt level can help ease the transition into post-college life. Students who thrive here typically appreciate a community-oriented environment and are looking for a supportive space to grow academically and personally. With nearly 40% of students receiving Pell Grants, we can see a commitment to helping those who need it most.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Stephen F Austin State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Stephen F Austin State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Nacogdoches, Texas, Stephen F Austin State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,066. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1066
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 970–1170
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 76%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,694
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 9,944
- Admitted
- 8,901
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Stephen F Austin State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 13% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 13%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 46%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 12%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 58% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Stephen F Austin State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Stephen F Austin State University is $23,426, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,260. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,318 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,409 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,128
- Out-of-State
- $23,426
- Avg Net Price
- $14,260
- Median Debt
- $23,409
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,318
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,023
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,100
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,959
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Stephen F Austin State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Stephen F Austin State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $49,634, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,144
- 8 Years
- $47,094
- 10 Years
- $49,634
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (744)
- 34%
- 100% (744)
- 34%
- 100% (744)
- 34%
- 100% (744)
- 34%
How Stephen Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Stephen F Austin State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Stephen F Austin State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,260/year ($57,040 total). Graduates earn $49,634 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,171,589 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,114,549 (20.5× your investment). The median debt is $23,409, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 53% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $57,040
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,171,589
- Net Return
- $1,114,549
- ROI Multiple
- 20.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,260
- Median Debt
- $23,409
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Stephen F Austin State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Stephen F Austin State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.96%, well above the typical college. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.96%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $121,327
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,521,797
- Investment Income
- $-14,582,223
Top Programs
The fields Stephen F Austin State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $59,684 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $75,769 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 10% $51,156 early-career
- Psychology 5% $34,303 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $33,686 early-career
- Communications 3% $36,992 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2% $62,285 early-career
- Social Sciences 2% $42,942 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Stephen F Austin State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Stephen F Austin State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Nacogdoches, Texas, Stephen F Austin State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,066. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Stephen F Austin State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Stephen F Austin State University is $23,426, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,260. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,318 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,409 in federal student loans.
Is Stephen F Austin State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $49,634, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Stephen F Austin State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Stephen F Austin State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.96%, well above the typical college. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Stephen F Austin State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Stephen F Austin State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Stephen F Austin State University offer Early Decision?
No. Stephen F Austin State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Stephen F Austin State University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 58% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Stephen F Austin State University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Stephen F Austin State University?
About 13% of admitted students choose to enroll at Stephen F Austin State University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Stephen F Austin State University.
- Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA · Close peer54% grad $52,416 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of MaineOrono, ME · Close peer56% grad $48,653 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH · Close peer50% grad $52,131 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point, WI · Close peer53% grad $52,021 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO · Close peer46% grad $54,659 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · Close peer59% grad $53,390 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Stephen F Austin State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Stephen F Austin State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note