University of Arizona vs The University of Texas at San Antonio
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 Arizona comes out ahead: 75/100 to 68/100, a 7-point edge over The University of Texas at San Antonio. 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, The University of Texas at San Antonio runs $10,836 a year against $16,674 at University of Arizona - $5,838 more a year, or about $23,352 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of Arizona graduates earn a median $59,979 against $57,131 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The cost earns itself back in 8.3 years at University of Arizona and 8.3 years at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of Arizona owing a median $19,620 versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.47 and 0.53 - 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 | 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 the clearly stronger ROI here (75 vs 68) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is somewhat better. That said, if The University of Texas at San Antonio is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap 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.