Texas Tech University vs Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Texas Tech University and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are closely matched on financial return. Texas Tech University scores 76/100 while Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College scores 76/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Texas Tech University comes in at $19,070 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,151 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - a difference of $81 annually, or roughly $324 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Texas Tech University graduates earn a median of $62,454 compared to $61,251 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The payback period is 7.9 years at Texas Tech University versus 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.
Graduates leave Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College with a median $20,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Texas Tech University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Texas Tech University | Louisiana State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,852 | $11,954 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $24,451 | $28,631 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,070 | $19,151 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $76,280 | $76,604 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,800 | $45,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,454 | $61,251 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.7% | 68.8% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 8.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.7% | 81.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 71.8% | 74.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 72.7% | 73.3% |
| Enrollment | 32,394 | 30,594 |
| SAT Range | 1090-1280 | 1180-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Texas Tech Universit... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,457 | $13,056 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,851 | $15,696 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,058 | $20,223 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,073 | $23,878 |
| $110,001+ | $24,622 | $26,489 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Texas Tech Universit... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering | $139,864 | $103,421 |
| Chemical Engineering | $99,747 | $114,226 |
| Electrical Engineering | $107,110 | $97,208 |
| Computer Engineering | $92,615 | $106,897 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $98,113 | $99,975 |
| Industrial Engineering | $98,266 | $94,748 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $86,795 | $95,302 |
| Environmental Engineering | $90,143 | $80,129 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,969 | $85,627 |
| Accounting | $89,891 | $82,617 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $75,702 | $64,590 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $74,591 | $67,493 |
| Marketing | $72,953 | $60,408 |
| Mathematics | $69,664 | $64,121 |
| Architecture | $63,871 | $69,029 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Texas Tech Universit... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 77 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 76 | 73 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 76 | 77 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 63 | 75 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 76 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Texas Tech University edges out Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College by 0 points (76 vs 76), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Texas Tech University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Strong 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.