The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas · Public · 26.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 90/100 · Exceptional Value
UT Austin is the flagship public university of Texas -- 42,855 students, an ROI score of 90, and median 10-year earnings of $75,121. This is an Exceptional Value school at public tuition rates, a rare combination. The admissions rate sits at 26.6%, making it genuinely selective for a public institution. Completion rate is 88.9%, among the highest in the public tier. Top programs by earnings include Computer and Information Sciences, where graduates earn a median $155,168 at 10 years, and Electrical Engineering at $146,003. The engineering college consistently sends graduates into high-demand roles in Austin's tech corridor, the defense sector, and petrochemical industries statewide. On the other hand, programs like Radio, Television, and Digital Communication show 4-year earnings of only $52,860 with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.798 -- students in those programs need a clear career plan before enrolling. Overall, UT Austin delivers elite earning potential at a price that's hard to replicate outside the public system.
The University of Texas at Austin scores in the top 10% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
The University of Texas at Austin
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $12,553 per year at UT Austin. Over four years that's roughly $50,000 total -- less than one year's tuition at many private universities. Combined with median debt of $20,500 and 10-year earnings above $75,000, this represents one of the best deals in public higher education. The state's tuition assistance programs layer on top of federal aid to create genuine affordability for low-income Texas residents.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Families in the $30,001-$48,000 bracket pay $14,297 per year; those in the $48,001-$75,000 range pay $17,207. The cost climbs as income rises, but both tiers remain well below private alternatives. The jump from $14,297 to $24,406 for the $75,001-$110,000 bracket is steeper -- nearly $10,000 more per year. Middle-income families in the upper tier of this range should model total cost carefully, as net price approaches $100k over four years.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $30,082 per year -- about $120,000 over four years. Against median 10-year earnings of $75,121, that's still a defensible investment, especially for engineering or business majors. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.393 overall is well below the danger zone. High-income families choosing out-of-state enrollment at UT face a different calculus since out-of-state tuition is $44,908 and net price rises accordingly.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
470 graduates per year make this one of the largest CS programs at any flagship university. Median earnings reach $111,587 within one year and $155,168 at year four -- a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.184 (grade: A). Austin's tech labor market is one of the nation's largest, with employers in semiconductor design, cloud infrastructure, and software development actively recruiting from UT's recruiting pipeline. With only $20,500 in median debt against those earnings, this program has one of the strongest payback profiles in the entire Scorecard dataset. Students choosing this path get flagship-level credentials at public-school cost.
Electrical Engineering
342 graduates per year and median 1-year earnings of $96,997 rising to $146,003 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.211 (grade: A). Texas's energy sector, defense contractors in San Antonio, and Austin's semiconductor cluster all absorb UT electrical engineering graduates in significant numbers. This program sits inside one of the top-10 EE programs nationally by research output. The combination of low public-school debt and an industry that actively competes for talent makes this one of the cleanest ROI propositions in the batch.
Finance and Financial Management
434 graduates per year with 1-year median earnings of $81,844 and 4-year earnings of $132,075. Debt-to-earnings of 0.25 (grade: B+). McCombs School of Business carries significant brand recognition in Texas banking, private equity, and energy finance. Houston's energy finance corridor and Dallas's financial services sector recruit heavily from UT. The size of the graduating class combined with employer demand produces strong placement rates. This is not the highest-earning business path at UT, but the scale of the program and the employer network make it a solid choice.
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
487 graduates -- the second-largest program at UT -- with 1-year earnings of $47,972 and 4-year earnings of $80,221. Debt-to-earnings is 0.438 (grade: B). The Moody College of Communication has national name recognition for its advertising and PR programs, but $80,221 at year four against $20,995 in median debt means this path requires patience. Starting salaries in the mid-$40s are realistic for brand-side marketing, agency account management, and media roles. The UT brand helps graduates land interviews, but the earnings gap with engineering peers is significant. Students should enter with realistic entry-level salary expectations.
Mechanical Engineering
275 graduates per year with 1-year earnings of $82,227 and 4-year earnings of $104,523. Debt-to-earnings 0.228 (grade: A). Mechanical engineering at UT feeds into oil and gas equipment firms, aerospace manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and advanced manufacturing. The Austin-San Antonio corridor has significant manufacturing and defense presence. At under $20k median debt and a payback that aligns with the whole-school 5.5-year figure, this is among the most efficient paths in the engineering college.
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 |
UT Austin admitted 26.6% of applicants -- selective, but not elite-private selective. SAT math runs 620-770 and reading 630-740; ACT composite 27-33. The school uses holistic review with an automatic admission guarantee for top-ranked Texas high school graduates. Out-of-state applicants face a much higher bar and should compare net price carefully since out-of-state tuition jumps to $44,908.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UT Austin's peers in the Scorecard system include University of Florida (ROI 92, net price $6,541, 91% completion) and UC San Diego (ROI 89). Compared to those peers, UT Austin charges more at the low end but delivers comparable or better 10-year earnings. University of Florida's near-zero net price for low-income students is an outlier driven by the state's Bright Futures scholarship. UC Irvine and UC San Diego both post strong STEM earnings similar to UT's. Among public flagships, UT Austin's 89% completion rate and $75,121 10-year median put it in the top tier nationally. The primary differentiator is Austin's labor market, which pays a premium for engineering and technology talent that schools in smaller markets cannot replicate.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
UT Austin fits high-achieving Texas residents who know their major direction. Admitted students typically score ACT 27-33 or SAT 1250-1510 combined. The Pell grant rate of 25.9% reflects meaningful economic diversity for a selective school. Students thrive here if they're targeting engineering, computer science, business, or pre-law -- programs where UT Austin's alumni networks and Austin-based employers create a direct pipeline. Students who arrive undecided and drift into lower-earning majors will face a harder ROI math with $20,500 median debt.
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.
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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.