Best Economics 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
14
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$80,213
Across Texas programs
Average Annual Cost
$45,095
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rice University
Grad rate: 94.7% |
+$480,119 | $81,590 | $74,110 | $11,289 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
The University of Texas at Austin
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$364,813 | $67,635 | $29,842 | $21,125 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Southern Methodist University
Grad rate: 82.8% |
+$242,847 | $71,965 | $82,532 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Texas A&M University-College Station
Grad rate: 83.7% |
+$178,815 | $58,674 | $32,085 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Austin College
Grad rate: 71.3% |
+$176,304 | $62,746 | $59,654 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of North Texas
Grad rate: 59.2% |
+$119,874 | $54,682 | $25,470 | $23,619 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
The University of Texas at Arlington
Grad rate: 55.1% |
+$105,945 | $53,734 | $25,265 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Texas Tech University
Grad rate: 67.1% |
+$22,993 | $50,475 | $27,472 | $27,125 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
University of Dallas
Grad rate: 69.9% |
+$22,476 | $57,745 | $64,752 | $24,752 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
The University of Texas at Dallas
Grad rate: 70.2% |
-$67,569 | $45,664 | $28,210 | $20,748 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
University of Houston
Grad rate: 64.0% |
-$67,829 | $44,936 | $25,056 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Texas Christian University
Grad rate: 84.7% |
-$72,997 | $54,222 | $72,778 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Trinity University
Grad rate: 78.8% |
-$94,351 | $51,821 | $65,774 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Grad rate: 50.9% |
-$288,452 | $31,246 | $18,343 | N/A | 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 Economics Degrees by State
Browse Economics programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.