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Texas A&M University-San Antonio vs University of St Thomas: which has better ROI?

Public, San Antonio TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Houston TX

The verdict

University of St Thomas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,436 in 7.1 years versus 7.5 years at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, on median earnings of $59,224 vs $54,338 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTexas A&M University-San AntonioUniversity of St Thomas
Net price / yr$11,196$19,359
Total net cost$44,784$77,436
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,338$59,224
Median debt$18,401$19,928
Payback7.5 yrs7.1 yrs
20-year net return$74,776$139,844

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-San Antonio or University of St Thomas?

Texas A&M University-San Antonio, at $11,196 a year after aid versus $19,359 — a gap of $8,163 a year, or $32,652 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Texas A&M University-San Antonio or University of St Thomas graduates earn more?

University of St Thomas graduates report a median $59,224 ten years after entry, $4,886 more than the $54,338 at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Texas A&M University-San Antonio or University of St Thomas?

Texas A&M University-San Antonio: its completers carry a median $18,401 in federal loans versus $19,928 at University of St Thomas, a difference of $1,527. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at University of St Thomas, against 40% at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio vs University of St Thomas: frequently asked questions

Is Texas A&M University-San Antonio or University of St Thomas a better value?
University of St Thomas. It clears its $77,436 net cost in about 7.1 years versus 7.5 years at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, on median earnings of $59,224 vs $54,338 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-San Antonio or University of St Thomas?
Texas A&M University-San Antonio: $11,196/yr net price after aid versus $19,359/yr at University of St Thomas — a difference of $8,163 a year, or about $32,652 over four years.
Do Texas A&M University-San Antonio or University of St Thomas graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates earn a median $59,224 ten years after entry, versus $54,338 at Texas A&M University-San Antonio — a $4,886 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.