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The University of Texas at Dallas — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Richardson, TX · 21,751 students

The verdict

The University of Texas at Dallas charges a net price of $18,267/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $73,068. Graduates earn a median $68,227 ten years after entry, $19,867/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.7 years — a 20-year net return of $324,272, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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The University of Texas at Dallas's 3.7-year payback ranks #259 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 80% of them, and #5 of 213 in Texas.

Better ROI than 80% of US colleges#259 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$18,267
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$68,227
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
3.7 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
65%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
The University of Texas at Dallas: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$18,267/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$73,068our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$68,227Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$19,867/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$18,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback3.7 yrsour math
20-year net return$324,272our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on The University of Texas at Dallas's own numbers. Net price $18,267 × 4 years = $73,068 total. Median earnings $68,227 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $19,867 a year of premium. $73,068 ÷ $19,867 = 3.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $324,272. 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 Dallas students graduate with?

A median $18,000 in federal loans among completers, or 26% of the $68,227 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 Dallas students graduate?

76% finish their degree. Spread the $73,068 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $96,142 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is The University of Texas at Dallas expensive compared with other Texas colleges?

Its $18,267 net price runs $1,092 below the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, and $4,368 less across the full degree.

The University of Texas at Dallas: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Texas at Dallas worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. The University of Texas at Dallas charges $18,267/yr after aid ($73,068 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $68,227 ten years out — $19,867/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 3.7 years and returns $324,272 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a The University of Texas at Dallas degree take to pay off?
About 3.7 years. We divide the $73,068 four-year net cost by the $19,867/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does The University of Texas at Dallas cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $18,267/yr — about $73,068 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does The University of Texas at Dallas compare to other Texas colleges?
It ranks #5 of 213 Texas colleges we track by payback. Its $68,227 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $18,267 net price is above the national median of $16,902.