Compare 19 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $89,100.
With top graduates earning $139,102, Laser and Optical Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $50K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Rice University's Laser and Optical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $139,102, well above the $89,100 state average. But UT Austin follows closely at $106,557 with a much larger cohort of 358 students, while Texas A&M delivers $98,879—demonstrating that multiple Texas programs compete at the highest levels.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 1.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, UT Rio Grande Valley leads with a 4.8% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $139,102
Strong outcomes ($98,879) with 63% acceptance
1.3% payment burden | Excellent
4.8% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $139,102 | 38 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Excellent |
| #2 | $106,557 | 358 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #3 | $98,879 | 239 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #4 | University Of HoustonPublic | $92,968 | 91 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Excellent |
| #5 | $91,700 | 32 | $22,934 | Excellent | $14,224 | Excellent | |
| #6 | $90,895 | 27 | $27,000 | Excellent | $16,012 | Good | |
| #7 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $89,597 | 87 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,500 | Good |
| #8 | $89,049 | 145 | $18,000 | Excellent | $21,495 | Good | |
| #9 | $88,715 | 22 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $88,692 | 105 | $18,000 | Excellent | $11,916 | Excellent | |
| #11 | $88,157 | 55 | $19,250 | Excellent | $23,211 | Good | |
| #12 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $87,675 | 75 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Good |
| #13 | $87,605 | 83 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Excellent | |
| #14 | $86,662 | 64 | $12,950 | Excellent | $8,107 | Excellent | |
| #15 | Lamar UniversityPublic | $83,799 | 37 | $21,250 | Excellent | $11,359 | Excellent |
| #16 | $81,132 | 39 | $17,137 | Excellent | $15,463 | Good | |
| #17 | $79,898 | 104 | $20,500 | Excellent | $13,859 | Good | |
| #18 | $71,616 | 12 | $23,000 | Excellent | $25,348 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $50,207 | 14 | $18,953 | Good | $8,000 | Manageable |
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 →
