Compare 32 Political Economy. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $49,065.
Political Economy programs produce graduates earning between $43,154 and $81,858—a $39K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 32 ranked programs in Texas, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of Dallas's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $81,858, well above the $49,065 average across all Texas programs. Southern Methodist University follows at $79,400, while Rice University rounds out the top three at $70,513—proving that program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice University graduates borrow just $11,000 and face a 3.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. University of Dallas leads for families with an 11.8% total burden, while students there face only 5.3%—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of DallasPrivate | $81,858 | 25 | $23,117 | Excellent | $24,154 | Good |
| #2 | $79,400 | 58 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $70,513 | 37 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Manageable |
| #4 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $62,718 | 77 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | High |
| #5 | $59,257 | 328 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $59,016 | 85 | $23,000 | Good | $50,786 | High |
| #7 | $58,382 | 295 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $56,188 | 61 | $18,000 | Excellent | $21,495 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $54,608 | 21 | $29,000 | Manageable | $19,929 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $53,731 | 109 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #11 | University Of HoustonPublic | $52,679 | 211 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Manageable |
| #12 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | $51,921 | 34 | $24,803 | Good | $28,135 | High |
| #13 | $51,812 | 22 | $27,000 | Manageable | $16,012 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $51,221 | 114 | $19,250 | Good | $23,211 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $49,881 | 22 | $23,409 | Good | $18,080 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $49,599 | 53 | $17,527 | Good | $12,313 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $48,966 | 133 | $21,000 | Good | $22,500 | Challenging |
| #18 | $46,760 | 75 | $20,500 | Good | $13,859 | Challenging | |
| #19 | Texas Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $46,109 | 9 | $23,125 | Manageable | $19,086 | High |
| #20 | St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | $43,154 | 40 | $25,563 | Manageable | $16,723 | High |
| #21 | Austin CollegePrivate | $42,361 | 14 | $24,500 | Manageable | $30,413 | High |
| #22 | $41,625 | 22 | $17,137 | Manageable | $15,463 | High | |
| #23 | $40,781 | 33 | $18,750 | Manageable | $10,000 | Challenging | |
| #24 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $39,272 | 32 | $19,218 | Manageable | $13,471 | High |
| #25 | $38,721 | 57 | $21,983 | Challenging | $19,433 | 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 →
