The University of Texas at Austin vs University of California-San Diego
Torn between these two? Here's how they stack up on what actually matters - what you'll pay, what graduates earn, and which one gives you the better return - all on U.S. Department of Education data.
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
On the numbers, University of California-San Diego comes out ahead: 96/100 to 90/100, a 6-point edge over The University of Texas at Austin. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.
Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, University of California-San Diego runs $12,470 a year against $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin - $7,387 more a year, or about $29,548 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of California-San Diego graduates earn a median $84,943 against $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. The cost earns itself back in 5.5 years at The University of Texas at Austin and 3.8 years at University of California-San Diego.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of California-San Diego owing a median $15,500 versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.32 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | University of California-... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,688 | $16,758 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $44,908 | $50,958 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,857 | $12,470 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $79,428 | $49,880 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $52,200 | $48,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $75,121 | $84,943 |
| Graduation Rate | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| Payback Period | 5.5 yr | 3.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $15,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $164 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.32 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 86.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.7% | 84.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 26.6% | 26.7% |
| Enrollment | 42,855 | 34,948 |
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 | $7,525 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,297 | $8,155 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,207 | $9,942 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,406 | $15,199 |
| $110,001+ | $30,082 | $28,785 |
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... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $146,003 | $118,150 |
| Chemical Engineering | $115,423 | $96,798 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $104,523 | $104,229 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $104,422 | $100,173 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $102,544 | $98,687 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,271 | $91,745 |
| Physics | $74,738 | $95,018 |
| Economics | $89,354 | $87,307 |
| Mathematics | $88,434 | $79,015 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $67,079 | $81,174 |
| Chemistry | $72,025 | $77,249 |
| International Relations | $75,988 | $67,713 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $64,145 | $72,491 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $72,210 | $67,302 |
| Philosophy | $71,790 | $24,669 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 98 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 91 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 93 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 96 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 79 | 89 |
| Overall ROI Score | 90 | 96 |
The Verdict
University of California-San Diego has the clearly stronger ROI here (96 vs 90) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is somewhat better. That said, if The University of Texas at Austin is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap for you specifically.
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The University of Texas at Austin
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of California-San Diego
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.