The University of Texas at Austin vs University of California-Irvine
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
University of California-Irvine holds a 4-point ROI advantage over The University of Texas at Austin, scoring 94/100 versus 90/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of California-Irvine comes in at $14,251 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin - a difference of $5,606 annually, or roughly $22,424 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Irvine graduates earn a median of $80,735 compared to $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. The payback period is 5.5 years at The University of Texas at Austin versus 4.3 years at University of California-Irvine.
Graduates leave University of California-Irvine with a median $15,000 in debt versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.34 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | University of California-... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,688 | $15,722 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $44,908 | $49,922 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,857 | $14,251 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $79,428 | $57,004 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $52,200 | $44,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $75,121 | $80,735 |
| Graduation Rate | 88.9% | 86.9% |
| Payback Period | 5.5 yr | 4.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $15,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $159 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 82.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.7% | 78.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 26.6% | 28.6% |
| Enrollment | 42,855 | 30,197 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,553 | $8,123 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,297 | $9,313 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,207 | $11,642 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,406 | $15,164 |
| $110,001+ | $30,082 | $30,546 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $155,168 | $96,347 |
| Electrical Engineering | $146,003 | $106,871 |
| Pharmacy | $143,049 | $61,034 |
| Management Information Systems | $127,158 | $108,038 |
| Registered Nursing | $87,891 | $119,502 |
| Chemical Engineering | $115,423 | $97,656 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $104,523 | $99,111 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $104,422 | $100,537 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $102,544 | $96,874 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,271 | $96,354 |
| Physics | $74,738 | $96,215 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $94,458 | $80,755 |
| Economics | $89,354 | $83,937 |
| Mathematics | $88,434 | $77,472 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $83,481 | $70,820 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 91 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 96 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 79 | 78 |
| Overall ROI Score | 90 | 94 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Irvine edges out The University of Texas at Austin by 4 points (94 vs 90), 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 Austin
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of California-Irvine
Exceptional 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.