Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Stephen F Austin State University worth it?
Pay $14,260/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $49,634 ten years out — about 3.5× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Stephen F Austin State University vs Texas avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Texas college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Stephen F Austin State University | Texas avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $14,260 | $16,183 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $49,634 | $48,157 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $23,409 | $18,050 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 53.3% | 44.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 94% | 75% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $103,164 over four years. Most students get $11,531/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $23,409 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 47% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Stephen F Austin State University grad earns about $185,360 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Stephen F Austin State University
The average student at Stephen F Austin State University pays $14,260 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $25,791 published sticker price. That is below the TX average net price of $16,183.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $49,634 — above the TX median of $48,157. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $23,409, roughly $254 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 47% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Texas colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Stephen F Austin State University.
Wharton, TX · Public Wharton County Junior College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Stephen F Austin State University?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $14,260 per year. That's $11,531/yr in financial aid against the $25,791 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $57,040.
How much do Stephen F Austin State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Stephen F Austin State University graduates earn a median of $49,634 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.5× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Stephen F Austin State University graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $23,409 — about $254/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 41.4% of students take federal loans.
Is Stephen F Austin State University worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Stephen F Austin State University a value grade of B — top 38% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $14,260/yr, earn $49,634/yr ten years out, ROI score of 8.70. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Stephen F Austin State University?
38.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 41.4% take federal student loans. On average, students get $11,531 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Stephen F Austin State University?
In-state tuition is $11,128 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $23,426 per year — a difference of $12,298/yr or $49,192 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Stephen F Austin State University?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $10,318. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $22,959. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →