Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees in Texas by ROI
Colleges in Texas ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Texas
11
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$127,411
Across Texas programs
Average Annual Cost
$45,064
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The University of Texas at Austin
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$203,417 | $59,658 | $29,842 | $22,500 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
University of Houston
Grad rate: 64.0% |
-$7,714 | $48,448 | $25,056 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Southern Methodist University
Grad rate: 82.8% |
-$45,128 | $56,250 | $82,532 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Texas State University
Grad rate: 56.0% |
-$46,868 | $46,570 | $26,348 | $24,353 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Texas Christian University
Grad rate: 84.7% |
-$86,312 | $52,240 | $72,778 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of North Texas
Grad rate: 59.2% |
-$92,268 | $43,985 | $25,470 | $22,288 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Sam Houston State University
Grad rate: 55.6% |
-$165,978 | $40,562 | $24,517 | $29,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
University of the Incarnate Word
Grad rate: 52.5% |
-$210,570 | $42,464 | $45,850 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Baylor University
Grad rate: 80.8% |
-$241,515 | $45,739 | $70,130 | $26,500 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
The University of Texas at Dallas
Grad rate: 70.2% |
-$280,204 | $35,009 | $28,210 | $20,403 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Saint Edward's University
Grad rate: 64.6% |
-$428,380 | $35,331 | $64,975 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees by State
Browse Design and Applied Arts programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.