Texas Southern University
- Graduation Rate
- 21% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,924 C-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,590 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $885,191.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 21% — 63% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.41% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Texas Southern University Matters
Texas Southern University is a public research university in Houston, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, 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 Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 6,844
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Psychology
Why students choose Texas Southern 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 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 800–1000. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,590 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,924 ten years after enrolling — 5% below the typical college, against $29,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 7% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.33 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 97%, Texas Southern University is an accessible option for students looking to pursue degrees in fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, and Communications. The student body of around 6,844 reflects a diverse community, making it a fitting choice for those who thrive in inclusive environments. Students here are often drawn to the practical aspects of their studies, preparing for real-world challenges in fields like Biology and Biomedical sciences, and Humanities.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings ten years out stand at $38,924. This figure gives a good sense of the potential financial trajectory for graduates. While the graduation rate is relatively low at 21%, it’s important to consider that many students may be balancing jobs or family obligations alongside their studies. Affordability is also a factor, with a net price of $16,590 after aid, making it more manageable for many.
When we talk about the financial aspect, the median debt of $29,000 is a critical number to keep in mind. This debt load is something to weigh against potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here often embrace the community aspect and take advantage of support systems that can help navigate both academic and personal challenges. Texas Southern can be a solid stepping stone for those who are determined to build their futures.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Houston, Texas, Texas Southern University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 914. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- SAT Average
- 914
- ACT Midpoint
- 17
- SAT Range
- 800–1000
- ACT Range
- 15–19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,730
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.26
- First-Gen Students
- 39%
- Applicants
- 8,582
- Admitted
- 8,307
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 Texas Southern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Texas Southern University is $21,473, 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 $16,590. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,437 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $29,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,173
- Out-of-State
- $21,473
- Avg Net Price
- $16,590
- Median Debt
- $29,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 72%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 67%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,437
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,115
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,280
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,610
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 Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Texas Southern University report median earnings of $38,924, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,986
- 8 Years
- $36,745
- 10 Years
- $38,924
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.75x
- Earning > $25K
- 47%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (105)
- 7%
- 100% (105)
- 7%
- 100% (105)
- 7%
- 100% (105)
- 7%
How Texas 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 Texas Southern University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Texas Southern University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,590/year ($66,360 total). Graduates earn $38,924 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $951,551 in total earnings — a net gain of $885,191 (14.3× your investment). The median debt is $29,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 21% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,360
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $951,551
- Net Return
- $885,191
- ROI Multiple
- 14.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,590
- Median Debt
- $29,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 21%
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 Texas Southern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Texas Southern 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 3.41%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 30.8% 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 11.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $36,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.41%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 30.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $49,319
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $2,293,124
Top Programs
The fields Texas Southern 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 19% $55,106 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $37,196 early-career
- Communications 8% $32,527 early-career
- Psychology 8% $35,271 early-career
- Criminal Justice 8% $43,355 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $29,935 early-career
- Humanities 6% $31,958 early-career
- Education 4% $50,183 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 Texas Southern 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
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Texas Southern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Houston, Texas, Texas Southern University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 914. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Texas Southern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Texas Southern University is $21,473, 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 $16,590. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,437 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $29,000 in federal student loans.
Is Texas Southern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Texas Southern University report median earnings of $38,924, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Texas Southern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Texas Southern 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 3.41%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 30.8% 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 11.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $36,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.33, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Texas Southern University.
- Middle Georgia State UniversityMacon, GA · Close peer25% grad $40,863 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Troy UniversityTroy, AL · Close peer48% grad $42,062 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Jackson State UniversityJackson, MS · Close peer41% grad $39,060 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Wright State University-Main CampusDayton, OH · Close peer44% grad $49,500 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC · Close peer44% grad $42,968 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk, VA · Close peer36% grad $44,666 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.33, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note