The University of Texas at Arlington vs Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
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 holds a 28-point ROI advantage over Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, scoring 76/100 versus 48/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, The University of Texas at Arlington comes in at $13,951 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,225 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi - a difference of $1,274 annually, or roughly $5,096 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates earn a median of $63,199 compared to $51,865 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. The payback period is 6.9 years at The University of Texas at Arlington versus 11.9 years at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at Arlington with a median $17,527 in debt versus $23,000 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | Texas A & M University-Co... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,950 | $9,748 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,582 | $20,794 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,951 | $15,225 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $55,804 | $60,900 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,700 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,199 | $51,865 |
| Graduation Rate | 54.0% | 40.2% |
| Payback Period | 6.9 yr | 11.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,527 | $23,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $186 | $244 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.4% | 66.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.2% | 59.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.9% | 88.6% |
| Enrollment | 32,294 | 8,034 |
| SAT Range | 1010-1240 | 970-1193 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,893 | $11,445 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,003 | $11,961 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,612 | $14,180 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,371 | $19,479 |
| $110,001+ | $24,692 | $23,426 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $99,993 | $71,616 |
| Registered Nursing | $99,393 | $83,329 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,158 | $82,322 |
| Management Information Systems | $81,538 | $57,021 |
| Accounting | $78,245 | $60,160 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $76,623 | $66,917 |
| Marketing | $63,088 | $62,017 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,978 | $56,808 |
| Music | $59,198 | $22,833 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,210 | $49,859 |
| History | $57,159 | $50,387 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $56,782 | $52,078 |
| Biology | $53,498 | $50,181 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,930 | $50,896 |
| English Language and Literature | $50,495 | $37,846 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 61 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 83 | 50 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 54 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 48 | 22 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 41 | 32 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 48 |
The Verdict
The University of Texas at Arlington significantly outperforms Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi on financial ROI (76 vs 48). The 28-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors The University of Texas at Arlington.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Below Average 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.