Tucson, AZ · Private University
Is University of Arizona Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$59,979
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,626
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,095
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$164,380
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.46x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
65.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,620
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,960
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Arizona graduates earn $14,979 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 University of Arizona ranked by graduate earnings
131 graduates
93 graduates
22 graduates
55 graduates
53 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Arizona
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Arizona, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $100,241) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $24,612) is $75,629/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $100,241 | 2.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $95,718 | 2.3x |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $95,216 | 2.3x |
| Systems Engineering | $86,600 | 2.1x |
| Chemical Engineering | $85,855 | 2.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $84,392 | 2.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $84,259 | 2.0x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $82,869 | 2.0x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $82,720 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $81,821 | 2.0x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $81,178 | 2.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $77,183 | 1.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $77,151 | 1.9x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $76,811 | 1.9x |
| Engineering-Related Fields(1yr data) | $75,109 | 1.8x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $72,440 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $70,338 | 1.7x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $69,515 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics | $69,476 | 1.7x |
| Chemistry | $64,746 | 1.6x |
| City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning | $64,631 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,294 | 1.5x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $63,220 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $63,033 | 1.5x |
| Architecture | $62,643 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $62,527 | 1.5x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $62,478 | 1.5x |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $62,072 | 1.5x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $57,705 | 1.4x |
| Homeland Security | $54,784 | 1.3x |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | $53,644 | 1.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $53,016 | 1.3x |
| Public Administration | $51,630 | 1.3x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $51,149 | 1.2x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $50,184 | 1.2x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $48,797 | 1.2x |
| Journalism | $47,608 | 1.2x |
| Public Health | $47,452 | 1.1x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $47,255 | 1.1x |
| Philosophy | $47,061 | 1.1x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $47,022 | 1.1x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $46,380 | 1.1x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $46,244 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $45,458 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies | $45,324 | 1.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $45,144 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $45,097 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,676 | 1.1x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications(1yr data) | $44,645 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $44,609 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $44,256 | 1.1x |
| Animal Sciences | $44,164 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,650 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,618 | 1.1x |
| Geography and Cartography | $43,518 | 1.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $43,457 | 1.1x |
| International/Global Studies | $42,966 | 1.1x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $42,855 | 1.0x |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | $41,978 | 1.0x |
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs | $41,707 | 1.0x |
| History | $41,416 | 1.0x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $41,210 | 1.0x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $40,716 | 1.0x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $40,196 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $40,051 | 1.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $39,867 | 1.0x |
| Music | $39,581 | 1.0x |
| Anthropology | $39,012 | 0.9x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $38,073 | 0.9x |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other(1yr data) | $36,795 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,202 | 0.8x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $28,494 | 0.7x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $24,826 | 0.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $24,612 | 0.6x |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | 1.46x | $59,979 | Average ROI |
| Texas Tech University | 2.55x | $62,454 | Strong ROI |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 2.37x | $63,126 | Strong ROI |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | 2.14x | $61,251 | Strong ROI |
| University of Houston | 2.81x | $62,377 | Strong ROI |
| University of Colorado Boulder | 1.66x | $69,738 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Arizona delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $59,979 10 years after starting, $14,979 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.6 years, a reasonable timeline.
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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.