Austin, TX · Private University
Is UT Austin Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$75,121
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,678
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$42,778
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$171,112
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.76x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
87.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$19,678
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn $30,121 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 The University of Texas at Austin ranked by graduate earnings
296 graduates
52 graduates
278 graduates
138 graduates
224 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at The University of Texas at Austin
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At The University of Texas at Austin, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $112,017) and the lowest (Astronomy and Astrophysics: $29,404) is $82,613/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $112,017 | 2.6x |
| Petroleum Engineering | $111,635 | 2.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $106,557 | 2.5x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $96,963 | 2.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $95,994 | 2.2x |
| Chemical Engineering | $95,916 | 2.2x |
| Business/Commerce, General(1yr data) | $94,041 | 2.2x |
| Architectural Engineering | $92,318 | 2.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $92,067 | 2.1x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $87,087 | 2.0x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $86,315 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $82,103 | 1.9x |
| Economics | $81,620 | 1.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $79,482 | 1.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $78,482 | 1.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $76,309 | 1.8x |
| Physics | $76,239 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $75,618 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $74,178 | 1.7x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,745 | 1.7x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $65,345 | 1.5x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $62,069 | 1.4x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $61,992 | 1.4x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $61,461 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $61,313 | 1.4x |
| Architecture | $60,340 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $59,458 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,257 | 1.4x |
| Chemistry | $58,652 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $57,339 | 1.3x |
| International/Global Studies | $57,068 | 1.3x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $55,146 | 1.3x |
| Public Health | $54,491 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $54,042 | 1.3x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $53,486 | 1.3x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $53,437 | 1.3x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $53,360 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $53,118 | 1.2x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $51,787 | 1.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $51,323 | 1.2x |
| Journalism | $51,204 | 1.2x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $51,006 | 1.2x |
| History | $49,738 | 1.2x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $49,258 | 1.1x |
| Music | $48,986 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $48,118 | 1.1x |
| Social Work | $47,151 | 1.1x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,139 | 1.1x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $46,216 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $45,001 | 1.1x |
| Philosophy | $43,995 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies(1yr data) | $43,848 | 1.0x |
| Area Studies | $41,646 | 1.0x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $41,102 | 1.0x |
| Anthropology | $40,367 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,074 | 0.9x |
| Sustainability Studies(1yr data) | $35,255 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $34,820 | 0.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft(1yr data) | $33,261 | 0.8x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $32,436 | 0.8x |
| Astronomy and AstrophysicsLowest(1yr data) | $29,404 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin | 1.76x | $75,121 | Good ROI |
| University of Florida | 2.50x | $71,588 | Strong ROI |
| Florida State University | 3.28x | $61,675 | Strong ROI |
| University of Georgia | 2.27x | $68,726 | Strong ROI |
| Clemson University | 1.81x | $71,513 | Good ROI |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 2.16x | $68,758 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
The University of Texas at Austin offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $75,121 10 years after starting — $30,121 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.3 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.