The University of Texas at Dallas vs University of California-Santa Cruz
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 and University of California-Santa Cruz are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas at Dallas scores 84/100 while University of California-Santa Cruz scores 85/100 - 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 California-Santa Cruz comes in at $17,890 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,267 at The University of Texas at Dallas - a difference of $377 annually, or roughly $1,508 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn a median of $68,396 compared to $68,227 at The University of Texas at Dallas. The payback period is 6.4 years at The University of Texas at Dallas versus 6.3 years at University of California-Santa Cruz.
Graduates leave University of California-Santa Cruz with a median $16,666 in debt versus $18,000 at The University of Texas at Dallas. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.43 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 | $14,644 | $16,005 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,144 | $50,205 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,267 | $17,890 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $73,068 | $71,560 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,800 | $38,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,227 | $68,396 |
| Graduation Rate | 75.7% | 75.1% |
| Payback Period | 6.4 yr | 6.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $16,666 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $177 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.43 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 73.6% | 79.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 70.8% | 76.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 65.1% | 65.8% |
| Enrollment | 21,751 | 17,940 |
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 | $12,814 | $8,717 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,510 | $10,613 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,030 | $14,418 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,892 | $18,986 |
| $110,001+ | $26,596 | $33,323 |
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 Engineering | $112,666 | $124,641 |
| Electrical Engineering | $104,448 | $118,290 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $87,420 | $98,567 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $50,432 | $88,305 |
| Economics | $75,479 | $76,382 |
| Chemistry | $63,472 | $71,348 |
| Mathematics | $69,383 | $59,214 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $59,498 | $69,027 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $47,186 | $66,333 |
| International Relations | $65,869 | $65,890 |
| Biology | $58,540 | $65,036 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $58,840 | $64,499 |
| History | $61,321 | $60,519 |
| Psychology | $51,459 | $59,948 |
| Sociology | $46,551 | $55,338 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 87 | 88 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 87 | 88 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 83 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 86 | 85 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 50 | 68 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 85 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Santa Cruz edges out The University of Texas at Dallas by 1 points (85 vs 84), 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 Dallas
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of California-Santa Cruz
Strong 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.