Economics at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech's Economics program lands squarely in the middle of the pack among Texas schools, but trails behind national peers—graduating with $44,292 in first-year earnings puts you in just the 22nd percentile nationally, though at the state's 40th percentile. The gap is tangible: you're starting $7,400 below the national median and nearly $15,000 behind UT Austin's economics grads. While debt levels are reasonable at $27,125 (better than both state and national averages), the modest starting salary means you're facing a higher financial burden relative to earning power than graduates from Texas's flagship programs.

The trajectory does improve over time—earnings grow 26% to reach $55,622 by year four—but this still leaves you behind where many comparable programs start. For context, Trinity and University of Dallas economics graduates both begin above where Texas Tech's reach after four years. If you're paying out-of-state tuition or taking on additional private loans, the math becomes even more challenging. In-state students with limited debt who value Texas Tech's community and campus culture might find this workable, but families should recognize they're trading some earning potential for accessibility and a more attainable admission process. The 71% acceptance rate and lower SAT averages reflect a different institutional tier than the state's top economics programs—and the salary outcomes confirm it.