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Programs & majors brief

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# The University of Texas at Austin Majors & Programs

Updated October 1, 2026

[Overview](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/)[Cost & aid](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/cost/)[Outcomes](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/outcomes/)[Admissions](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/admissions/)Majors[Similar schools](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/similar/)

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## Which majors earn the most at UT Austin?

Among The University of Texas at Austin programs with a reported four-year earnings value, the highest medians are: Computer and Information Sciences, General ($155,168); Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($146,003); Petroleum Engineering ($139,867); Finance and Financial Management Services ($132,075); Management Information Systems and Services ($127,158). These are earnings after completion for the covered cohort.

A program median describes the middle reported outcome in that group. It is not a starting-salary offer or a prediction for every graduate, and an earnings comparison does not by itself explain why fields differ.

Compare these results with the subjects you want to study and the program’s reported award count. Awards measure degree output, not the number of people in the earnings sample.

The University of Texas at Austin awards bachelor's degrees across 59 fields with published four-year earnings, and [Azimuth ranks](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) 57 of them nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions. The highest-earning program, Computer and Information Sciences, shows a median of $155,168 four years after completion, alongside 456 degrees awarded and an Azimuth national rank of #10.

Electrical Engineering follows at $146,003 with 320 degrees awarded and a national rank of #4. Biology, the largest by degrees awarded at 671, reports a median of $66,264 and an Azimuth national rank of #48.

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, with 506 degrees awarded, reaches $80,221 and ranks #5 nationally.

### Major mix · each dot ≈ 1% of completions

Share of reported completions in the bachelor’s programs included here. Each dot represents approximately 1% of those completions. Counts are credentials, not unique students; excluded programs are not zero activity.

-   Biological sciences**1,266 · 12.2%**
-   Engineering**1,261 · 12.2%**
-   Communication**1,164 · 11.2%**
-   Business**1,154 · 11.1%**
-   Social sciences**914 · 8.8%**
-   Other**4,612 · 44.5%**

Find a field

Sort programsLargest programsHighest four-year earningsBest national field rankProgram name

71 of 71 programs shown

Four-year earnings · first six matching programs

**Computer and Information Sciences, General 456 degrees awarded**
$155,168

**Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering 320 degrees awarded**
$146,003

**Petroleum Engineering 75 degrees awarded**
$139,867

**Finance and Financial Management Services 407 degrees awarded**
$132,075

**Management Information Systems and Services 213 degrees awarded**
$127,158

**Chemical Engineering 131 degrees awarded**
$115,423

Each bar is a field’s median. Program size counts degrees awarded, not unique people or the earnings sample.

Compare all matching programs

Reported bachelor’s programs · earnings, program size and field ranks

| Program | Degrees awarded | 4-yr earnings | Field rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 456 | $155,168 | #10 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 320 | $146,003 | #4 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 75 | $139,867 | #1 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 407 | $132,075 | #8 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 213 | $127,158 | #2 |
| Chemical Engineering | 131 | $115,423 | #4 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 186 | $105,143 | #18 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 266 | $104,523 | #17 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 97 | $104,422 | #12 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 118 | $102,544 | #18 |
| Civil Engineering | 143 | $95,271 | #18 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 198 | $94,458 | #29 |
| Architectural Engineering | 52 | $93,710 | #3 |
| Marketing | 150 | $91,955 | #14 |
| Economics | 340 | $89,354 | #65 |
| Mathematics | 358 | $88,434 | #26 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 116 | $87,891 | #176 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 46 | $83,481 | #1 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 506 | $80,221 | #5 |
| Architecture | 65 | $76,808 | #4 |
| Political Science and Government | 316 | $75,988 | #40 |
| Physics | 96 | $74,738 | #39 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 253 | $73,089 | #10 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 234 | $72,210 | #21 |
| Chemistry | 114 | $72,025 | #29 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 41 | $71,922 | #4 |
| Philosophy | 51 | $71,790 | #9 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 48 | $69,846 | #17 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 49 | $68,314 | #6 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 99 | $67,405 | #15 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 193 | $67,079 | #7 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 290 | $66,580 | #23 |
| Biology, General | 671 | $66,264 | #48 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 26 | $65,987 | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 264 | $65,124 | #16 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 331 | $64,145 | #28 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services small degree count | 18 | $64,105 | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 43 | $62,438 | #30 |
| Public Health | 305 | $61,390 | #38 |
| Journalism | 147 | $61,145 | #19 |
| Social Work | 67 | $59,850 | #24 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 50 | $59,742 | #16 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 158 | $59,166 | #10 |
| Sociology | 124 | $58,807 | #64 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 39 | $58,697 | #51 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 35 | $57,292 | #23 |
| Area Studies | 55 | $57,009 | #21 |
| History | 110 | $56,881 | #54 |
| Psychology, General | 461 | $56,821 | #59 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 167 | $54,816 | #51 |
| Sustainability Studies | 77 | $54,430 | #7 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 156 | $53,860 | #75 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 116 | $53,829 | #3 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 277 | $52,860 | #21 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 72 | $48,781 | #10 |
| Anthropology | 52 | $48,486 | #49 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 106 | $47,730 | #38 |
| Music | 60 | $47,164 | #53 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 25 | $38,455 | #20 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 53 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering small degree count | 6 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics small degree count | 11 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics small degree count | 8 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General small degree count | 17 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Nutrition Sciences | 119 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Computational Science small degree count | 19 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies small degree count | 10 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 39 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Dance small degree count | 17 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 21 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions small degree count | 12 | Too few graduates to report | — |

[Program data and definitions](#page-sources) · [How to evaluate program rankings](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/)

## What are the largest programs at UT Austin?

Ten largest programs by degrees awarded

**Biology, General**
671

**Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication**
506

**Psychology, General**
461

**Computer and Information Sciences, General**
456

**Finance and Financial Management Services**
407

**Mathematics**
358

**Economics**
340

**Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology**
331

**Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering**
320

**Political Science and Government**
316

Counts describe degrees awarded in the reporting period, not current enrollment. [Program data and definitions](#page-sources)

The largest program records at The University of Texas at Austin, by reported degrees awarded, are: Biology, General (671 awards); Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (506 awards); Psychology, General (461 awards); Computer and Information Sciences, General (456 awards); Finance and Financial Management Services (407 awards). These counts describe degree output in the source reporting period, not current enrollment or unique people.

Among those larger programs, reported median earnings four years after completion include Biology, General at $66,264; Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at $80,221; Psychology, General at $56,821. Program size and earnings answer different questions; the largest program need not have the highest earnings.

## How do UT Austin majors rank nationally?

The University of Texas at Austin’s national program ranks compare each field with the same field at other institutions in Azimuth’s ranking data. For example, a Computer Science rank compares programs in Computer Science, while a Biology rank compares programs in Biology.

A lower rank number indicates a higher position within that field; comparing the numbers across different fields does not tell you which major will pay more or suit you better.

These are Azimuth program-value rankings. The source orders programs by its composite program-value measure, so this view answers a different question from the highest-earning majors section.

A field can report lower earnings than another The University of Texas at Austin field while holding a stronger position against its own national competitors. Read its national position alongside the earnings and degree counts to understand both the comparison with other schools and the scale of the program at The University of Texas at Austin.

### National program rankings

1.  Petroleum Engineering**#1**
2.  Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences**#1**
3.  Management Information Systems and Services**#2**
4.  Architectural Engineering**#3**
5.  Visual and Performing Arts, General**#3**
6.  Architecture**#4**
7.  Chemical Engineering**#4**
8.  Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering**#4**
9.  Apparel and Textiles**#4**
10.  Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication**#5**
11.  Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies**#6**
12.  International/Globalization Studies**#7**
13.  Sustainability Studies**#7**
14.  Finance and Financial Management Services**#8**
15.  Philosophy**#9**
16.  Computer and Information Sciences, General**#10**
17.  Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services**#10**
18.  Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities**#10**
19.  Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft**#10**
20.  Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering**#12**
21.  Marketing**#14**
22.  Communication Disorders Sciences and Services**#15**
23.  Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services**#16**
24.  Neurobiology and Neurosciences**#16**
25.  Mechanical Engineering**#17**
26.  Design and Applied Arts**#17**
27.  Biomedical/Medical Engineering**#18**
28.  Civil Engineering**#18**
29.  Accounting and Related Services**#18**
30.  Journalism**#19**
31.  East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics**#20**
32.  Area Studies**#21**
33.  Communication and Media Studies**#21**
34.  Radio, Television, and Digital Communication**#21**
35.  Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies**#23**
36.  Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness**#23**
37.  Social Work**#24**
38.  Mathematics**#26**
39.  Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology**#28**
40.  Chemistry**#29**
41.  Business Administration, Management and Operations**#29**
42.  Geography and Cartography**#30**
43.  Fine and Studio Arts**#38**
44.  Public Health**#38**
45.  Physics**#39**
46.  Political Science and Government**#40**
47.  Biology, General**#48**
48.  Anthropology**#49**

Programs ranked in the national top 50, supplemented by the largest ranked programs when needed to show ten. Fewer appear when fewer ranks are reported. Each rank compares bachelor’s programs in the same field; field sizes differ.

The list includes The University of Texas at Austin programs ranked in the national top 50 for their field. If fewer than ten qualify, it adds the largest remaining programs with a reported national rank, using degrees awarded to select them, until the list reaches ten or no ranked programs remain.

These additions broaden the comparison to larger The University of Texas at Austin programs; they are not necessarily ranked in the national top 50.

[How Azimuth compares programs across colleges](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/)

## Further analysis

The return on a degree at The University of Texas at Austin is not one number but many, and the spread across fields is wide. The university has 59 programs with published earnings data, 57 of which carry an Azimuth national rank.

The degree mix is led by Biological Sciences and Engineering, each at 12.2% of bachelor's degrees awarded. Communication & Journalism is next at 11.2%.

Biology is the largest single program, at 671 degrees a year, with a median of $66,264 four years after completion. Computer and Information Sciences is both highly ranked and highly paid: it sits at #10 nationally and its completers earn $155,168, or 1.68x the national median for the field.

## Data & methodology

Sources and reporting periods: [methodology](/methodology/).

Analysis and methodology by [Daniel Rogers](/about/#founder), founder of College Azimuth.

Explanatory text is AI-assisted drafting checked against those figures; it is not an additional data source.

Figure notes link to sources and limitations. [About College Azimuth](/about/).

Four-year earnings are measured after completion for the covered federally aided cohort of people working and not enrolled. Measures taken six, eight or ten years after entry use a different starting point and should not be treated as one graduating class followed over time.

Program award counts describe credentials awarded, not current enrollment, unique graduates or earnings-sample size. Reporting periods differ across measures; the shared field definitions do not establish the exact vintage of every school-level value.