Texas State University vs University of St Thomas: which has better ROI?
University of St Thomas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,436 in 7.1 years versus 7.9 years at Texas State University, on median earnings of $59,224 vs $56,906 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Texas State University | University of St Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,805 | $19,359 |
| Total net cost | $67,220 | $77,436 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,906 | $59,224 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $19,928 |
| Payback | 7.9 yrs | 7.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $103,700 | $139,844 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Texas State University or University of St Thomas?
Texas State University, at $16,805 a year after aid versus $19,359 — a gap of $2,554 a year, or $10,216 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 State University or University of St Thomas graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates report a median $59,224 ten years after entry, $2,318 more than the $56,906 at Texas State University. 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 State University or University of St Thomas?
University of St Thomas: its completers carry a median $19,928 in federal loans versus $21,000 at Texas State University, a difference of $1,072. 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 55% at Texas State University. 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.