Texas Tech University vs Oregon State University
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 Oregon State University are closely matched on financial return. Texas Tech University scores 76/100 while Oregon State University scores 75/100 - 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 $19,604 at Oregon State University - a difference of $534 annually, or roughly $2,136 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Oregon State University graduates earn a median of $64,010 compared to $62,454 at Texas Tech University. The payback period is 7.9 years at Texas Tech University versus 7.5 years at Oregon State University.
Graduates leave Oregon State University with a median $21,221 in debt versus $21,500 at Texas Tech University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.50 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Texas Tech University | Oregon State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,852 | $14,400 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $24,451 | $38,190 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,070 | $19,604 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $76,280 | $78,416 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,800 | $42,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,454 | $64,010 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.7% | 70.1% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 7.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $21,221 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $225 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.50 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.7% | 76.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 71.8% | 72.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 72.7% | 77.3% |
| Enrollment | 32,394 | 30,743 |
| SAT Range | 1090-1280 | 1140-1400 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Texas Tech Universit... | Oregon State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,457 | $12,107 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,851 | $13,036 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,058 | $15,729 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,073 | $20,262 |
| $110,001+ | $24,622 | $27,459 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Texas Tech Universit... | Oregon State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $107,110 | $105,359 |
| Construction Engineering | $102,312 | $105,964 |
| Physics | $57,435 | $103,167 |
| Industrial Engineering | $98,266 | $101,653 |
| Chemical Engineering | $99,747 | $92,741 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $98,113 | $93,740 |
| Environmental Engineering | $90,143 | $87,699 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,969 | $89,822 |
| Accounting | $89,891 | $75,219 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $86,795 | $78,427 |
| Chemistry | $70,673 | $78,417 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $75,702 | $73,660 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $74,591 | $39,450 |
| Marketing | $72,953 | $73,205 |
| Mathematics | $69,664 | $72,318 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Texas Tech Universit... | Oregon State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 77 | 78 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 76 | 79 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 74 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 76 | 78 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 63 | 58 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 75 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Texas Tech University edges out Oregon State University by 1 points (76 vs 75), 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
Oregon State University
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.