The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas · Public · 26.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 90/100 · Exceptional Value
The University of Texas at Austin
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,688/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $44,908/yr |
| Average net price | $19,857/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $79,428 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $75,121 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $52,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 88.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 42,855 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,553 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,297 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,207 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,406 |
| $110,001+ | $30,082 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at The University of Texas at Austin with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $66,264 | C |
| Psychology | $56,821 | C |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $80,221 | B |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $155,168 | A |
| Finance and Financial Management | $132,075 | B+ |
| Electrical Engineering | $146,003 | A |
| International Relations | $75,988 | C+ |
| Public Health | $61,390 | C |
| Mathematics | $88,434 | B+ |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $64,145 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at The University of Texas at Austin is $11,688/year ($44,908/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,857/year, or roughly $79,428 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,553/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,082/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $75,121 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.39 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 79.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 81.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 85.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 26.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 620-770 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 630-740 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 27-33 |
| Enrollment | 42,855 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 25.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $15,819 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin (this school) | 90 | $19,857 | $75,121 |
| University of California-San Diego | 96 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| University of California-Irvine | 94 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| University of Florida | 92 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $79,428 and median graduate earnings of $75,121 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 5.5 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 88.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $20,500 is very manageable against $75,121 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.