The University of Texas at Austin vs University of Florida
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 Austin and University of Florida are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas at Austin scores 90/100 while University of Florida scores 92/100 - 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, University of Florida comes in at $6,541 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin - a difference of $13,316 annually, or roughly $53,264 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn a median of $75,121 compared to $71,588 at University of Florida. The payback period is 5.5 years at The University of Texas at Austin versus 4.5 years at University of Florida.
Graduates leave University of Florida 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 0.31 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | University of Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,688 | $6,381 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $44,908 | $28,659 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,857 | $6,541 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $79,428 | $26,164 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $52,200 | $47,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $75,121 | $71,588 |
| Graduation Rate | 88.9% | 91.1% |
| Payback Period | 5.5 yr | 4.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $15,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $159 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.31 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 72.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 81.7% | 71.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 26.6% | 24.2% |
| Enrollment | 42,855 | 35,629 |
| SAT Range | 1250-1510 | 1320-1480 |
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 Florid... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,553 | $1,982 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,297 | $2,768 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,207 | $7,151 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,406 | $12,905 |
| $110,001+ | $30,082 | $16,723 |
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 Florid... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $155,168 | $126,268 |
| Electrical Engineering | $146,003 | $107,543 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $132,075 | $106,153 |
| Chemical Engineering | $115,423 | $109,607 |
| Accounting | $105,143 | $94,941 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $104,523 | $97,113 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $104,422 | $94,375 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $102,544 | $88,078 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,271 | $86,453 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $94,458 | $82,615 |
| Mathematics | $88,434 | $93,022 |
| Marketing | $91,955 | $92,626 |
| Economics | $89,354 | $89,075 |
| Registered Nursing | $87,891 | $79,839 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $83,481 | $69,943 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | University of Florid... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 99 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 91 | 96 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 93 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 96 | 97 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 79 | 48 |
| Overall ROI Score | 90 | 92 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Florida edges out The University of Texas at Austin by 2 points (92 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.
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 Austin
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Florida
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.