Stephen F Austin State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Stephen F Austin State University charges a net price of $14,260/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $57,040. Graduates earn a median $49,634 ten years after entry, $1,274/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 44.8 years — a 20-year net return of -$31,560, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Stephen F Austin State University's 44.8-year payback ranks #1,182 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 8% of them, and #66 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,260/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $57,040 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,634 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,274/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,409 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 44.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$31,560 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Stephen F Austin State University's own numbers. Net price $14,260 × 4 years = $57,040 total. Median earnings $49,634 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,274 a year of premium. $57,040 ÷ $1,274 = 44.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$31,560. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Stephen F Austin State University students graduate with?
A median $23,409 in federal loans among completers, or 47% of the $49,634 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Stephen F Austin State University students graduate?
53% finish their degree — 47% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $57,040 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $107,623 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Stephen F Austin State University expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $14,260 net price runs $5,099 below the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, and $20,396 less across the full degree.