Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at The University of Texas at Austin vary significantly by field of study, reflecting different career pathways and labor market demands. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in post-graduation employment and financial outcomes.
Analyzing 65 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at UT Austin.
#12 nationally
$65K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt levels, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at The University Of Texas At Austin.
This group stands out for exceptional earning potential and national recognition at UT Austin. Artificial Intelligence ranks #12 nationally with $112,017 median earnings, while Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #8 nationally earning $106,557.
Mechanical Engineering delivers $92,067 with strong job market demand. All three programs achieve excellent debt management relative to earnings.
This group is best suited for students who prioritize high earning potential and are prepared for rigorous technical coursework.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data tracking graduate earnings, debt levels, and employment patterns. Rankings compare institutions nationally within each major, not across different fields of study. Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because career paths, industry demand, and typical post-graduation roles vary significantly by field. Engineering and computer science programs typically show higher earnings due to strong industry demand, while liberal arts programs may emphasize graduate school preparation where earnings accelerate with advanced degrees. Cohort sizes indicate program popularity and data reliability—larger cohorts provide more statistically robust outcomes. All data represents outcomes for bachelor's degree recipients and requires minimum cohort sizes for federal reporting. These rankings help students understand relative program performance within fields but should be considered alongside personal interests, career goals, and long-term educational plans when making academic decisions.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| #12 |
| $112,017★ |
| $22,227 |
| 445 |
| Petroleum Engineering. | #2 | $111,635 | $30,689 | 72 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #8 | $106,557 | $20,000 | 358 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #15 | $95,916 | $29,392 | 180 |
| Architectural Engineering. | #2 | $92,318 | — | 34 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #20 | $92,067 | $26,953 | 273 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #26 | $87,087 | $34,323 | 131 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #18 | $86,315 | $37,091 | 168 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #40 | $82,103 | $48,838 | 144 |
These programs deliver strong returns with excellent national rankings at UT Austin. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #11 nationally with impressive $95,994 earnings, while Applied Economics ranks #34 nationally earning $81,620.
Accounting programs show solid $78,482 outcomes with broader enrollment. The group demonstrates consistent value across different business disciplines.
This path is well suited for students seeking versatile career preparation with strong earning potential in finance, consulting, and corporate roles.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Resources Management. | #6 | $96,963★ | $28,075 | 167 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #12 | $95,994 | $24,800 | 411 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #35 | $79,482 | $18,840 | 98 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #40 | $78,482 | $36,728 | 253 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | #5 | $76,460 | — | 131 |
| Digital Marketing. | #14 | $74,178 | $29,663 | 193 |
Health programs at UT Austin focus on behavioral and public health approaches rather than clinical training. Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #18 nationally with $54,491 earnings and represents a specialized approach to health education.
The field emphasizes prevention and health promotion career paths. Students pursuing this path typically seek roles in public health, health education, or preparation for graduate programs in health-related fields with long-term career advancement potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #147 | $73,745★ | $21,478 | 133 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #31 | $67,271 | — | 22 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist.Small sample | #38 | $61,461 | — | 19 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #18 | $54,491 | $27,457 | 268 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #51 | $53,486 | $29,900 | 96 |
This group shows mixed outcomes with some standout performers at The University of Texas at Austin. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ranks #5 nationally with $61,992 earnings and manageable debt.
Mathematics programs earn $75,618 with excellent value scores. However, general Biology shows more modest $54,042 earnings despite large enrollment of 628 students.
This group is best for students prioritizing graduate school preparation or research careers, where earnings may accelerate with advanced degrees.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustics. | #7 | $76,239★ | $21,955 | 87 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #24 | $75,618 | $18,223 | 319 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology. | #12 | $62,069 | — | 42 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #5 | $61,992 | $20,812 | 280 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #27 | $58,652 | $26,310 | 134 |
| Biology, General. | #54 | $54,042 | $28,796 | 628 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other. | #4 | $36,848 | — | 33 |
| Neuroanatomy. | #46 | $32,925 | $29,132 | 228 |
This group demonstrates diverse outcomes reflecting varied career pathways at UT Austin. American Government and Politics ranks #52 nationally with $59,257 earnings, providing solid preparation for law, policy, and government careers.
Psychology shows lower initial earnings of $45,001 but serves as strong preparation for graduate study. The range reflects different post-graduation paths from immediate workforce entry to advanced degree preparation.
Best suited for students prioritizing intellectual engagement and graduate school preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #34 | $81,620★ | $19,774 | 450 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #7 | $61,313 | $32,711 | 65 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #51 | $59,257 | $23,410 | 328 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #32 | $53,118 | $19,771 | 150 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #28 | $47,151 | $15,262 | 68 |
| Psychology, General. | #111 | $45,001 | $26,526 | 432 |
| Anthropology, General. | #46 | $40,367 | $24,500 | 63 |
Communications programs at The University of Texas at Austin show varied performance across specializations. Advertising ranks #2 nationally with strong $65,345 earnings and exceptional value scores.
Digital Communication earns $46,216 but ranks highly at #14 nationally, while general Communication studies show $43,848 with more challenging debt ratios. The group reflects the diversity within communications fields from high-earning advertising roles to broader media careers.
Best for students interested in creative industries, marketing, or media production with clear specialization preferences.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising. | #2 | $65,345★ | $29,249 | 567 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #18 | $51,204 | $20,552 | 172 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #14 | $46,216 | $31,663 | 315 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #157 | $43,848 | $36,486 | 272 |
General Studies ranks #7 nationally at UT Austin with $59,458 earnings, demonstrating the value of broad liberal arts preparation for diverse career paths. This interdisciplinary approach provides flexibility for students exploring multiple interests or preparing for graduate study.
The program's high national ranking reflects effective curriculum design that translates liberal arts education into employable skills. This path suits students who value intellectual breadth and want to maintain career flexibility while developing critical thinking and communication skills.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography. | #4 | $76,309★ | — | 61 |
| General Studies. | #8 | $59,458 | $34,779 | 245 |
| Creative Writing. | #12 | $55,146 | $28,584 | 49 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #34 | $53,437 | $31,003 | 56 |
| American History (United States). | #31 | $49,738 | $24,878 | 156 |
| Brass Instruments. | #14 | $48,986 | $38,173 | 59 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #49 | $48,118 | $29,663 | 192 |
| Chinese Language and Literature. | #17 | $47,139 | — | 29 |
| Acting. | #3 | $45,128 | — | 37 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #29 | $43,995 | $16,980 | 59 |
| Applied Linguistics. | #46 | $41,102 | $30,046 | 49 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #83 | $40,074 | $44,215 | 84 |
| Buddhist Studies.Small sample | — | $37,208 | — | 7 |
| Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.Small sample | — | $35,600 | — | 8 |
| Digital Arts. | #10 | $32,436 | $35,874 | 93 |
| Ballet.Small sample | #21 | $26,896 | — | 13 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 51K on average, with 4 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Design. | #37 | $60,340★ | $36,542 | 45 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #13 | $57,339 | $26,000 | 247 |
| International/Globalization Studies. | #6 | $57,068 | $17,528 | 231 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other. | #5 | $53,360 | $26,806 | 145 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #2 | $51,787 | $22,141 | 201 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #33 | $51,323 | $19,671 | 229 |
| Apparel and Textile Manufacture. | #11 | $51,006 | — | 54 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #21 | $49,258 | — | 36 |
| African Studies. | #33 | $41,646 | $20,034 | 63 |
| Sustainability Studies. | #7 | $35,255 | $23,563 | 61 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.