The University of Texas at Dallas 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 Dallas holds a 36-point ROI advantage over Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, scoring 84/100 versus 48/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi comes in at $15,225 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,267 at The University of Texas at Dallas - a difference of $3,042 annually, or roughly $12,168 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Texas at Dallas graduates earn a median of $68,227 compared to $51,865 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. The payback period is 6.4 years at The University of Texas at Dallas versus 11.9 years at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at Dallas with a median $18,000 in debt versus $23,000 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 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 | $14,644 | $9,748 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,144 | $20,794 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,267 | $15,225 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $73,068 | $60,900 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,800 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,227 | $51,865 |
| Graduation Rate | 75.7% | 40.2% |
| Payback Period | 6.4 yr | 11.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $23,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $244 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 73.6% | 66.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 70.8% | 59.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 65.1% | 88.6% |
| Enrollment | 21,751 | 8,034 |
| SAT Range | 1160-1410 | 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 | $12,814 | $11,445 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,510 | $11,961 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,030 | $14,180 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,892 | $19,479 |
| $110,001+ | $26,596 | $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 | $104,448 | $71,616 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $103,603 | $86,698 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,102 | $82,322 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $86,484 | $66,917 |
| Accounting | $82,629 | $60,160 |
| Marketing | $73,732 | $62,017 |
| Business Administration and Management | $66,880 | $50,369 |
| International Relations | $65,869 | $33,968 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $65,617 | $51,909 |
| History | $61,321 | $50,387 |
| Biology | $58,540 | $50,181 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $57,864 | $52,078 |
| Psychology | $51,459 | $43,269 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 87 | 61 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 87 | 50 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 54 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 86 | 22 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 50 | 32 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 48 |
The Verdict
The University of Texas at Dallas significantly outperforms Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi on financial ROI (84 vs 48). The 36-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 Dallas.
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The University of Texas at Dallas
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.