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?
ROI Score Comparison
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
| Metric | The 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 Rate | 54.0% | 68.8% |
| Payback Period | 6.9 yr | 8.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,527 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $186 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.4% | 81.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.2% | 74.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.9% | 73.3% |
| Enrollment | 32,294 | 30,594 |
| SAT Range | 1010-1240 | 1180-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The 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.
| Major | The 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
| Component | The University of Te... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 83 | 73 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 48 | 77 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 41 | 75 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 76 |
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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The University of Texas at Arlington
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.