Students at The University of Texas at Austin achieve exceptional financial outcomes that place the university among the very best public institutions nationwide for long-term earning potential.
Graduates consistently outperform expectations and benefit from one of the strongest economic mobility profiles available in public higher education.
The University of Texas at Austin stands as one of the nation's premier public research universities, delivering exceptional value through outstanding graduate outcomes and strong academic programs. As a flagship institution in Texas, UT Austin combines the resources and prestige of a major research university with the accessibility of public higher education, though admission has become increasingly competitive in recent years.
What sets UT Austin apart is its remarkable ability to produce graduates who earn significantly more than expected compared with similar students at other institutions. With median 10-year earnings of $75,121 and graduates consistently outperforming national benchmarks, the university ranks in the top 10% nationally for long-term financial outcomes. This performance reflects both the strength of its academic programs and the power of its extensive alumni network throughout Texas and beyond.
The university's "Selective Achievers" designation captures its profile perfectly: while access is more limited than at typical public universities, students who enroll benefit from exceptional outcomes and strong upward mobility. UT Austin serves as a launching pad into high-paying careers across industries, from technology and engineering to business and finance, making it one of the most valuable educational investments available in public higher education.
The University of Texas at Austin offers a comprehensive program portfolio that consistently delivers strong financial outcomes across diverse fields of study. The standout performer is Artificial Intelligence, which combines substantial enrollment of 445 graduates with impressive median earnings of $79,558, creating the highest aggregate return among all programs. This reflects UT Austin's leadership in emerging technology fields and the strong demand for AI expertise in the current job market.
Engineering programs demonstrate exceptional earning potential, with Petroleum Engineering leading at $88,723 in median earnings despite smaller enrollment numbers. These specialized engineering fields benefit from Texas's energy sector strength and UT Austin's reputation as a top engineering school. Biology represents the university's largest program footprint with 628 graduates, though earnings of $30,272 reflect the pre-professional nature of many biology majors who continue to graduate or professional school.
The program mix reveals UT Austin's strength across high-return professional fields while maintaining broad academic offerings. From technology and engineering to business and liberal arts, the university's scale and reputation create strong employer relationships and career placement opportunities. Even programs with more moderate early-career earnings benefit from the UT Austin brand and alumni network, which provide long-term career advancement advantages that compound over time.
Graduates of The University of Texas at Austin achieve some of the strongest financial outcomes among public universities nationwide. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $75,121, placing the university in the top 10% nationally for long-term earnings. Even more impressive is how much graduates earn beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions—UT Austin delivers an earnings advantage of approximately $5,719 above what would be predicted based on student characteristics and program mix.
The university's program portfolio drives much of this exceptional performance. Artificial Intelligence stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining strong enrollment of 445 graduates with solid median earnings of $79,558. Petroleum Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $88,723, while Biology represents the largest program footprint with 628 graduates earning a median of $30,272. This mix reflects UT Austin's strength across high-return STEM fields, business programs, and professional disciplines that consistently lead to well-paying careers.
UT Austin's scale and reputation create meaningful advantages for graduates entering the job market. The university's extensive alumni network, particularly strong throughout Texas and in major metropolitan areas, provides exceptional career support and advancement opportunities. Combined with the institution's research focus and industry partnerships, graduates benefit from both immediate job placement advantages and long-term career trajectory benefits that compound over time.
Affordability at The University of Texas at Austin varies significantly by family income, with the university providing substantial support for lower-income students while remaining accessible for middle-class families. Low-income students pay approximately $12,972 annually after aid, which represents strong value given the institution's academic quality and outcomes. Middle-income families face net prices around $18,618, while higher-income families pay about $28,972—levels that reflect the university's flagship status but remain reasonable for the educational value provided.
The debt picture at UT Austin is generally manageable relative to graduate earning potential. Typical federal student loan debt of $20,500 represents a reasonable investment given median earnings of $75,121 ten years out, creating comfortable debt-to-income ratios for most graduates. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,244, which many families use to reduce student debt burdens or cover additional educational expenses. The university's 0% federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates consistently manage their debt obligations successfully.
What makes UT Austin particularly sustainable financially is the strong earning trajectory that begins early in graduates' careers. With median 6-year earnings of $60,896 already well above national averages, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules while building wealth over time. The combination of reasonable debt levels and exceptional earning potential creates one of the strongest return-on-investment profiles available in public higher education.
The University Of Texas At Austin Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
