Texas Tech combines exceptional mobility performance (97.4th percentile) with accessible admission standards and strong program diversity. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers earnings $1,911 above peer medians while maintaining debt levels that support long-term financial stability across engineering, business, and interdisciplinary pathways.
Strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment and peer comparison
Typical cost management with moderate debt levels
The university's exceptional ability to convert educational access into earnings growth
The university's exceptional ability to convert educational access into earnings growth
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExceptional mobility outcomes with accessible admission
Texas Tech delivers strong return on investment through exceptional mobility outcomes and controlled borrowing. Graduates earn a median of $62,454 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 76th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median by $1,911.
Earnings range from $41,009 at the 25th percentile to $91,778 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across engineering, business, and liberal arts programs. The institution generates $198 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 56.9th percentile for earnings uplift relative to student demographics.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at a large public research university with accessible admission. Well-suited for students interested in Engineering, Business, and interdisciplinary programs who want exceptional economic mobility outcomes while maintaining moderate debt levels.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Texas Tech University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/texas-tech-university/analysis.
Texas Tech University ranks #73 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing it in the 95.6th percentile with exceptional mobility performance at the 97.4th percentile. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public research university maintains a 70.9% admission rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes across diverse academic programs.
Texas Tech enrolls 25.8% Pell-eligible students and 32.4% first-generation students, demonstrating solid access alongside selective academic standards. Graduates earn $198 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking in the 56.9th percentile for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $62,454 ten years after enrollment, placing Texas Tech in the 76th percentile nationally and $1,911 above the peer median of $60,543. As a Selective Achievers institution, Texas Tech combines strong outcomes with moderate access levels, positioning graduates for sustained economic advancement while maintaining manageable debt levels below peer institutions.
Texas Tech admits 70.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Texas Tech in the Moderately Selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates Texas Tech is somewhat more selective than typical large public research universities, admitting about 7 percentage points fewer applicants than similar institutions. This level of selectivity means qualified students with solid academic credentials have favorable admission prospects, though the university maintains standards that require competitive preparation.
Unlike highly selective institutions where even exceptional students face uncertainty, Texas Tech's 70.9% admission rate suggests that students meeting academic benchmarks have strong chances of acceptance. For students building college lists, Texas Tech represents a solid match option rather than a reach school.
The selectivity level indicates the university can afford to be somewhat choosy while still maintaining broad access to higher education. Students should expect moderate competition for admission, with academic preparation being the primary factor in admission decisions.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Texas Tech's published cost of attendance is $27,472 per year, including $11,852 in-state tuition, $24,451 out-of-state tuition, $10,460 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $20,071 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,401 compared to the sticker price.
This net price is $4,481 higher than the peer median of $15,590, indicating Texas Tech costs more than typical large public research universities. The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition creates significant cost variation depending on residency status.
Net price varies substantially by family income, ranging from $13,922 for families earning under $30,000 to $24,903 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure demonstrates targeted financial aid toward lower-income families.
Compared to peer institutions, Texas Tech's higher net price reflects both the institution's investment in facilities and programs as well as Texas's approach to higher education funding. Students should factor both the sticker price and likely net price into their college financing decisions.
Texas Tech graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $52,588 six years after enrollment to $57,570 at eight years and $62,454 at ten years, representing 18.8% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 7,879 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures across the institution's diverse academic portfolio.
Graduates earn $198 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Texas Tech in the 56.9th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $60,200, indicating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings span from $41,009 at the 25th percentile to $91,778 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 25.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The earnings distribution shows a 2.2:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles, reflecting meaningful variation across the institution's comprehensive program offerings.
Petroleum Engineering.
50 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
47 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
98 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
119 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
76 graduates
Texas Tech offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Artificial Intelligence ranks #78 nationally and #6 in Texas, producing 119 graduates with median earnings of $91,795.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #28 nationally and #3 in Texas, graduating 204 students with median earnings of $83,160 and a strong value score of 86.8. Mechanical Engineering ranks #99 nationally and #8 in Texas, with 357 graduates earning $81,351 annually.
Family and Consumer Sciences ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Texas, graduating 232 students with an exceptional value score of 95.0. Creative Writing ranks #8 nationally and #1 in Texas, graduating 157 students with median earnings of $49,468.
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies represents one of the largest programs, graduating 351 students annually with strong value performance, reflecting significant student demand across diverse academic interests and career pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Arizona Similar quality tier in Southwest (#74 ranked) | AZ | 86% | $59,979 | #74 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Similar quality tier (#75 ranked) | NC | 19% | $72,200 | #75 | Compare |
Michigan State University Similar quality tier (#76 ranked) | MI | 84% | $67,253 | #76 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Madison Similar quality tier (#77 ranked) | WI | 43% | $73,792 | #77 | Compare |
Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College Similar quality tier in Southwest (#78 ranked) | LA | 74% | $61,251 | #78 | Compare |