The University of Texas at Arlington 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
The University of Texas at Arlington and Oregon State University are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas at Arlington 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, The University of Texas at Arlington comes in at $13,951 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,604 at Oregon State University - a difference of $5,653 annually, or roughly $22,612 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Oregon State University graduates earn a median of $64,010 compared to $63,199 at The University of Texas at Arlington. The payback period is 6.9 years at The University of Texas at Arlington versus 7.5 years at Oregon State University.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at Arlington with a median $17,527 in debt versus $21,221 at Oregon State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.50 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | Oregon State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,950 | $14,400 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,582 | $38,190 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,951 | $19,604 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $55,804 | $78,416 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,700 | $42,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,199 | $64,010 |
| Graduation Rate | 54.0% | 70.1% |
| Payback Period | 6.9 yr | 7.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,527 | $21,221 |
| Monthly Payment | $186 | $225 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.50 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.4% | 76.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.2% | 72.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.9% | 77.3% |
| Enrollment | 32,294 | 30,743 |
| SAT Range | 1010-1240 | 1140-1400 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | Oregon State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,893 | $12,107 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,003 | $13,036 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,612 | $15,729 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,371 | $20,262 |
| $110,001+ | $24,692 | $27,459 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | Oregon State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $109,197 | $121,405 |
| Construction Engineering | $72,613 | $105,964 |
| Electrical Engineering | $99,993 | $105,359 |
| Physics | $71,830 | $103,167 |
| Industrial Engineering | $97,788 | $101,653 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $67,246 | $100,182 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,158 | $93,740 |
| Civil Engineering | $86,844 | $89,822 |
| Management Information Systems | $81,538 | $88,149 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $76,623 | $78,427 |
| Chemistry | $63,766 | $78,417 |
| Accounting | $78,245 | $75,219 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,978 | $73,660 |
| Marketing | $63,088 | $73,205 |
| Mathematics | $66,261 | $72,318 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | Oregon State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 78 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 83 | 79 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 74 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 48 | 78 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 41 | 58 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 75 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Texas at Arlington 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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The University of Texas at Arlington
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.