The University of Texas at Austin vs The University of Texas at Dallas: which has better ROI?
The University of Texas at Austin has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $79,428 in 3 years versus 3.7 years at The University of Texas at Dallas, on median earnings of $75,121 vs $68,227 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Texas at Austin | The University of Texas at Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,857 | $18,267 |
| Total net cost | $79,428 | $73,068 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,121 | $68,227 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $18,000 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $455,792 | $324,272 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Texas at Austin or The University of Texas at Dallas?
The University of Texas at Dallas, at $18,267 a year after aid versus $19,857 — a gap of $1,590 a year, or $6,360 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Texas at Austin or The University of Texas at Dallas graduates earn more?
The University of Texas at Austin graduates report a median $75,121 ten years after entry, $6,894 more than the $68,227 at The University of Texas at Dallas. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, The University of Texas at Austin or The University of Texas at Dallas?
The University of Texas at Dallas: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at The University of Texas at Austin, against 76% at The University of Texas at Dallas. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.