Lubbock, TX · Private University
Is Texas Tech University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,454
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,852
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,451
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$97,804
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
67.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,071
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Texas Tech University graduates earn $17,454 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Texas Tech University ranked by graduate earnings
59 graduates
40 graduates
81 graduates
113 graduates
76 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Texas Tech University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Texas Tech University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Petroleum Engineering: $106,480) and the lowest (Nutrition Sciences: $23,843) is $82,637/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum EngineeringBest ROI | $106,480 | 4.3x |
| Computer Engineering | $96,395 | 3.9x |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,466 | 3.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $91,795 | 3.8x |
| Industrial Engineering | $91,341 | 3.7x |
| Construction Engineering | $88,553 | 3.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $87,675 | 3.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,160 | 3.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $81,351 | 3.3x |
| Civil Engineering | $80,974 | 3.3x |
| Science, Technology and Society | $78,574 | 3.2x |
| Information Science/Studies | $77,185 | 3.2x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering(1yr data) | $76,708 | 3.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $76,067 | 3.1x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $71,893 | 2.9x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $67,444 | 2.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,219 | 2.7x |
| Marketing | $64,758 | 2.6x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $59,443 | 2.4x |
| Chemistry | $59,067 | 2.4x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $57,435 | 2.4x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $57,100 | 2.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $55,633 | 2.3x |
| Economics | $55,622 | 2.3x |
| Architecture | $54,109 | 2.2x |
| Landscape Architecture | $53,917 | 2.2x |
| Interior Architecture | $53,906 | 2.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $53,731 | 2.2x |
| Mathematics | $53,440 | 2.2x |
| Agricultural Public Services | $52,409 | 2.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,556 | 2.1x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $51,550 | 2.1x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $50,770 | 2.1x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $50,192 | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,580 | 2.0x |
| History | $49,562 | 2.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $49,468 | 2.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,332 | 2.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $48,596 | 2.0x |
| Sociology | $47,659 | 1.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $46,691 | 1.9x |
| Music | $46,387 | 1.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,913 | 1.9x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $45,788 | 1.9x |
| Animal Sciences | $45,763 | 1.9x |
| Social Work | $44,302 | 1.8x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $43,909 | 1.8x |
| Biology, General | $43,555 | 1.8x |
| Agriculture, General | $42,800 | 1.8x |
| Psychology, General | $42,334 | 1.7x |
| Journalism | $42,248 | 1.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,847 | 1.7x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $40,553 | 1.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $39,572 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,183 | 1.6x |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services(1yr data) | $34,598 | 1.4x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $33,504 | 1.4x |
| Anthropology | $31,748 | 1.3x |
| Nutrition SciencesLowest(1yr data) | $23,843 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Texas Tech University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,454 10 years after starting — $17,454 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.6 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.