The University of Texas at Austin — ROI, Cost & Payback
The University of Texas at Austin charges a net price of $19,857/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $79,428. Graduates earn a median $75,121 ten years after entry, $26,761/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3 years — a 20-year net return of $455,792, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
The University of Texas at Austin's 3-year payback ranks #181 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 86% of them, and #3 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $19,857/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $79,428 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $75,121 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $26,761/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $455,792 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on The University of Texas at Austin's own numbers. Net price $19,857 × 4 years = $79,428 total. Median earnings $75,121 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $26,761 a year of premium. $79,428 ÷ $26,761 = 3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $455,792. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do The University of Texas at Austin students graduate with?
A median $20,500 in federal loans among completers, or 27% of the $75,121 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of The University of Texas at Austin students graduate?
89% finish their degree. Spread the $79,428 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $89,245 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is The University of Texas at Austin expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $19,857 net price runs $498 above the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, or $1,992 more across the full degree.