Florida State University vs The University of Texas at Austin
Torn between these two? Here's how they stack up on what actually matters - what you'll pay, what graduates earn, and which one gives you the better return - all on U.S. Department of Education data.
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
On the numbers, The University of Texas at Austin comes out ahead: 90/100 to 83/100, a 7-point edge over Florida State University. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.
Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, Florida State University runs $11,297 a year against $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin - $8,560 more a year, or about $34,240 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn a median $75,121 against $61,675 at Florida State University. The cost earns itself back in 6.9 years at Florida State University and 5.5 years at The University of Texas at Austin.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Florida State University owing a median $18,000 versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.39 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Florida State University | The University of Texas a... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $5,656 | $11,688 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $18,786 | $44,908 |
| Net Price (avg) | $11,297 | $19,857 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $45,188 | $79,428 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,700 | $52,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,675 | $75,121 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.6% | 88.9% |
| Payback Period | 6.9 yr | 5.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.39 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 69.0% | 83.0% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.9% | 81.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 24.2% | 26.6% |
| Enrollment | 32,212 | 42,855 |
| SAT Range | 1270-1410 | 1250-1510 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Florida State Univer... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,938 | $12,553 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,963 | $14,297 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,496 | $17,207 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,991 | $24,406 |
| $110,001+ | $19,239 | $30,082 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Florida State Univer... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $93,727 | $155,168 |
| Electrical Engineering | $93,740 | $146,003 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $87,089 | $132,075 |
| Management Information Systems | $103,648 | $127,158 |
| Chemical Engineering | $90,815 | $115,423 |
| Accounting | $91,056 | $105,143 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,622 | $104,523 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,340 | $95,271 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,320 | $94,458 |
| Business Administration and Management | $74,716 | $94,041 |
| Marketing | $84,981 | $91,955 |
| Economics | $73,527 | $89,354 |
| Mathematics | $68,131 | $88,434 |
| Registered Nursing | $78,811 | $87,891 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $66,157 | $83,481 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Florida State Univer... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 93 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 84 | 91 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 81 | 88 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 96 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 37 | 79 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 90 |
The Verdict
The University of Texas at Austin has the clearly stronger ROI here (90 vs 83) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is somewhat better. That said, if Florida State University is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap for you specifically.
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Florida State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
The University of Texas at Austin
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.