University of Arizona vs The University of Texas at San Antonio
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 Arizona holds a 7-point ROI advantage over The University of Texas at San Antonio, scoring 75/100 versus 68/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, The University of Texas at San Antonio comes in at $10,836 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,674 at University of Arizona - a difference of $5,838 annually, or roughly $23,352 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Arizona graduates earn a median of $59,979 compared to $57,131 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The payback period is 8.3 years at University of Arizona versus 8.3 years at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Graduates leave University of Arizona with a median $19,620 in debt versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.47 and 0.53 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Arizona | The University of Texas a... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,926 | $9,011 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $42,278 | $22,051 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,674 | $10,836 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,696 | $43,344 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,800 | $38,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,979 | $57,131 |
| Graduation Rate | 67.5% | 52.6% |
| Payback Period | 8.3 yr | 8.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,620 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $208 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.47 | 0.53 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.5% | 66.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 71.6% | 61.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.1% | 86.8% |
| Enrollment | 42,537 | 30,580 |
| SAT Range | 1150-1420 | 1000-1220 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Arizon... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,353 | $7,870 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,984 | $7,847 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $16,051 | $9,172 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,777 | $15,446 |
| $110,001+ | $22,307 | $20,489 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Arizon... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $77,987 | $106,358 |
| Electrical Engineering | $105,839 | $90,846 |
| Management Information Systems | $104,513 | $90,049 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,938 | $75,373 |
| Entrepreneurship | $99,722 | $46,192 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $95,625 | $77,774 |
| Accounting | $93,729 | $73,605 |
| Civil Engineering | $91,602 | $84,166 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,384 | $87,062 |
| Business Information Systems | $90,045 | $67,547 |
| Physics | $88,207 | $42,790 |
| Marketing | $84,111 | $57,885 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,951 | $65,018 |
| Human Resources Management | $76,013 | $68,185 |
| Architecture | $74,972 | $57,778 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Arizon... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 79 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 73 | 73 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 78 | 67 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 74 | 44 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 63 | 29 |
| Overall ROI Score | 75 | 68 |
The Verdict
University of Arizona has a meaningfully higher ROI score (75 vs 68). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of Arizona
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Fair 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.