Sul Ross State University
#3 Best Psychology Colleges in Texas- Graduation Rate
- 29% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,871 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $13,286 C+
- 22% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.2 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Psychology Colleges in Texas.
Every $1 spent returns $20.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,020,136.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduation of 29% — 50% below the national average.
-
Social mobility rate of 5.25% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Sul Ross State University Matters
Sul Ross State University is a public university in Alpine, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,396
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose Sul Ross 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 99% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 930–1110. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,286 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,871 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $15,900 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 5.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 2% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.22 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Sul Ross State University is a solid option for students seeking a supportive environment with a high acceptance rate of 99%. This school is particularly appealing to those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, and Humanities. With an enrollment of about 1,400 students, it fosters a close-knit community that can make the college experience feel more personal and engaging.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average salary of $41,871 within ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 29%, those who do complete their degrees often find that they can move into the workforce with skills relevant to their studies. Economic mobility data isn’t available, but the affordability of the education here is worth noting, especially with a significant portion of students receiving Pell Grants, which helps bridge the financial gap.
In terms of finances, the net price after aid is around $13,286, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $15,900. This manageable debt load can be appealing for those who want to enter the job market without being overwhelmed by student loans. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a less traditional path, value affordability, and are committed to their studies in practical, career-oriented fields.
Rankings
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in Texas
- #4 Best Online Education Programs in Texas
- #4 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
- #6 Best Education Colleges in Texas
- #6 Best Online Business Programs in Texas
- #8 Best Online Nursing Programs in Texas
- #10 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- #13 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
Can I Get In?
How selective Sul Ross 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 Sul Ross State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Alpine, Texas, Sul Ross State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,024. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 45%
- SAT Average
- 1024
- ACT Midpoint
- 16
- SAT Range
- 930–1110
- ACT Range
- 15–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,971
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 46%
- Applicants
- 717
- Admitted
- 696
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 Sul Ross State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Sul Ross State University is $17,672, 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 $13,286. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,110 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,900 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,592
- Out-of-State
- $17,672
- Avg Net Price
- $13,286
- Median Debt
- $15,900
- Pell Grant Rate
- 58%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,110
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,722
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,261
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,279
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 Sul Ross 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 Sul Ross State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Sul Ross State University report median earnings of $41,871, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,340
- 8 Years
- $39,351
- 10 Years
- $41,871
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (63)
- 19%
- 100% (63)
- 19%
- 100% (63)
- 19%
- 100% (63)
- 19%
How Sul 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 Sul Ross State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Sul Ross State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,286/year ($53,144 total). Graduates earn $41,871 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,073,280 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,020,136 (20.2× your investment). The median debt is $15,900, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 29% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $53,144
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,073,280
- Net Return
- $1,020,136
- ROI Multiple
- 20.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,286
- Median Debt
- $15,900
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
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 Sul Ross State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Sul Ross 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 5.25%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $45,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 5.25%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 23.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $61,139
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,669,485
- Investment Income
- $948,205
Top Programs
The fields Sul Ross 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 18%
- Education 15%
- Criminal Justice 11%
- Psychology 10%
- Humanities 6%
- English & Literature 4%
- Health Professions 2%
- Biology & Biomedical 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Sul Ross 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Sul Ross State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Alpine, Texas, Sul Ross State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,024. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Sul Ross State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Sul Ross State University is $17,672, 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 $13,286. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,110 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,900 in federal student loans.
Is Sul Ross State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Sul Ross State University report median earnings of $41,871, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Sul Ross State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Sul Ross 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 5.25%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $45,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Sul Ross 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 Sul Ross State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Sul Ross State University.
- Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA · Close peer39% grad $38,275 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS · Close peer47% grad $41,991 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- The University of Montana-WesternDillon, MT · Close peer50% grad $43,229 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- SUNY MorrisvilleMorrisville, NY · Close peer30% grad $43,295 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Columbia CollegeColumbia, SC · Close peer45% grad $41,338 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of the Virgin IslandsCharlotte Amalie, VI · Close peer28% grad $38,681 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Sul Ross 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 Sul Ross State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note