Location: Austin, TX•In-State Tuition: $11,678•Out-of-State Tuition: $42,778•Admission Rate: 29%•Avg SAT: 1380
Median Earnings (1yr)
$81,844
95th percentile
Median Debt
$20,500
12% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.25 ManageableSample: 224 graduates

Analysis

UT Austin's finance program punches well above its weight when you consider the cost. At $20,500 in median debt—about $3,000 less than the state average—graduates land first-year earnings of $81,844, which places them in the 95th percentile both nationally and among Texas programs. That's $29,000 more than the typical Texas finance graduate earns. Only SMU edges ahead in the state, and that comes with significantly higher tuition and likely more debt.

The earnings trajectory is equally solid: graduates see 17% growth to nearly $96,000 by year four, suggesting these students are landing roles with genuine advancement potential rather than hitting early ceilings. The 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their loans in three months of gross salary—a remarkably efficient value proposition for a selective public university.

Given UT Austin's 29% admission rate and strong academic profile, this data suggests the program delivers on its reputation. For families weighing private alternatives like SMU or TCU, the earnings gap is minimal while the debt advantage could be substantial. This is exactly what a flagship state university should deliver: elite-level outcomes at a fraction of the cost.

Where The University of Texas at Austin Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

The University of Texas at AustinOther finance and financial management services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How The University of Texas at Austin graduates compare to all programs nationally

The University of Texas at Austin earns $82k — 95th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
The University of Texas at Austin$81,844$95,994+17%
Southern Methodist University$83,159$113,839+37%
Texas A&M University-College Station$71,409$90,976+27%
Texas Christian University$78,453$90,933+16%
Baylor University$67,909$86,622+28%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (59 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
The University of Texas at AustinAustin$11,678$81,844$95,994$20,5000.25
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas$64,460$83,159$113,839$19,5000.23
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth$57,220$78,453$90,933$19,5000.25
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station$13,099$71,409$90,976$16,8800.24
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas—$70,963$59,017$48,4690.68
Baylor UniversityWaco$54,844$67,909$86,622$23,0000.34
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The University of Texas at Austin, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 224 graduates with reported earnings and 182 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.