Compare 15 Economics. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $64,076.
Economics programs produce graduates earning between $36,674 and $88,145—a $51K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 15 ranked programs in Texas, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Rice University's Economics program leads with graduates earning $88,145, followed by UT Austin at $81,620. The average across all Texas programs is $64,076, but the variation tells the real story—program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, UT Arlington leads with a 9.7% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $88,145 | 86 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Good |
| #2 | $81,620 | 450 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #3 | $74,491 | 165 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Trinity UniversityPrivate | $72,862 | 38 | $22,954 | Excellent | $19,986 | Manageable |
| #5 | $70,306 | 276 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $69,186 | 116 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | Challenging |
| #7 | $67,287 | 41 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Good | |
| #8 | Austin CollegePrivate | $62,746 | 14 | $24,500 | Good | $30,413 | Challenging |
| #9 | University Of HoustonPublic | $62,110 | 166 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Manageable |
| #10 | $61,279 | 47 | $19,250 | Excellent | $23,211 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $57,908 | 58 | $18,000 | Excellent | $21,495 | Manageable | |
| #12 | University Of DallasPrivate | $57,745 | 17 | $23,117 | Good | $24,154 | Challenging |
| #13 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $55,622 | 98 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #14 | $43,166 | 15 | $12,950 | Good | $8,107 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $36,674 | 41 | $21,000 | Challenging | $22,500 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
