The University of Texas at Arlington 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?

Too close to call - both schools are within 3 points

ROI Score Comparison

76
Strong Value
Earnings
90(0.51x)
Payback
83(6.9 yr)
Debt/Earn
87(0.40)
Completion
48(54%)
Repayment
41(70%)
76
Strong Value
Earnings
75(0.34x)
Payback
73(8.3 yr)
Debt/Earn
81(0.46)
Completion
77(69%)
Repayment
75(82%)

The Financial Comparison

The University of Texas at Arlington and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas at Arlington 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, The University of Texas at Arlington comes in at $13,951 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,151 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - a difference of $5,200 annually, or roughly $20,800 over four years.

Ten years after enrollment, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates earn a median of $63,199 compared to $61,251 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The payback period is 6.9 years at The University of Texas at Arlington versus 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

Graduates leave The University of Texas at Arlington with a median $17,527 in debt versus $20,500 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.

Head-to-Head Numbers

MetricThe University of Texas a...Louisiana State Universit...
Cost
In-State Tuition$11,950$11,954
Out-of-State Tuition$29,582$28,631
Net Price (avg)$13,951$19,151
Total 4-Year Cost$55,804$76,604
Outcomes
Median Earnings (6yr)$43,700$45,000
Median Earnings (10yr)$63,199$61,251
Graduation Rate54.0%68.8%
Payback Period6.9 yr8.3 yr
Debt
Median Debt$17,527$20,500
Monthly Payment$186$217
Debt-to-Earnings0.400.46
3yr Repayment Rate70.4%81.5%
5yr Repayment Rate63.2%74.3%
Admissions
Acceptance Rate79.9%73.3%
Enrollment32,29430,594
SAT Range1010-12401180-1340

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.

Family IncomeThe University of Te...Louisiana State Univ...
$0-$30,000$11,893$13,056
$30,001-$48,000$12,003$15,696
$48,001-$75,000$12,612$20,223
$75,001-$110,000$16,371$23,878
$110,001+$24,692$26,489

Earnings by Major - Head to Head

Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.

MajorThe University of Te...Louisiana State Univ...
Computer Science$109,197$89,307
Computer Engineering$105,871$106,897
Electrical Engineering$99,993$97,208
Mechanical Engineering$90,158$99,975
Industrial Engineering$97,788$94,748
Finance and Financial Management$76,623$95,302
Civil Engineering$86,844$85,627
Accounting$78,245$82,617
Business Information Systems$80,711$81,799
International Business$72,486$65,326
Architecture$62,345$69,029
Geological and Earth Sciences$65,294$67,493
Biomedical Engineering$67,246$44,717
International Relations$50,006$67,007
Mathematics$66,261$64,121

ROI Sub-Score Breakdown

ComponentThe University of Te...Louisiana State Univ...
Earnings Premium (30%)9075
Payback Period (25%)8373
Debt / Earnings (20%)8781
Completion Rate (15%)4877
Repayment Rate (10%)4175
Overall ROI Score7676
Strong Value

The Verdict

These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Texas at Arlington 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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76

The University of Texas at Arlington

Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown

76

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.