Analysis
Based on comparable International Business programs in Texas, UT Austin's outcomes appear surprisingly modest for such a selective institution. Similar programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $42,000 against estimated debt of $18,000—manageable ratios, but notably below the $50,000 national median for this major. For a university with a 29% admission rate and 1380 average SAT, these figures trail what peer Texas programs report, including those at less selective universities like UT Dallas and Texas A&M-San Antonio.
The debt load itself looks reasonable at an estimated 0.42 ratio to first-year income, and it's lower than the national median for International Business graduates. However, the earnings gap is the real question mark. International Business programs elsewhere in the country typically produce median earnings nearly $8,000 higher than what Texas programs suggest. Whether that reflects regional market differences, industry placement patterns, or something else about how Texas schools approach this major isn't clear from estimates alone.
If your child is choosing UT Austin specifically for International Business, understand you're working with projections from similar programs rather than this school's actual track record. The brand value of a UT Austin degree might translate differently in the job market than these state-level estimates suggest, or it might not. Given the uncertainty, this becomes a tougher call than paying a premium for a program with documented strong outcomes.
Where The University of Texas at Austin Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (30 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11,678 | $41,911* | — | $17,734* | — | |
| $51,384 | $51,843* | $62,711 | $24,218* | 0.47 | |
| $11,728 | $48,625* | $54,622 | $17,999* | 0.37 | |
| $9,548 | $46,714* | — | —* | — | |
| $14,564 | $44,228* | $80,589 | $17,734* | 0.40 | |
| $7,708 | $41,911* | $50,379 | $13,978* | 0.33 | |
| National Median | — | $49,890* | — | $23,472* | 0.47 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
Business Continuity Planners
Sustainability Specialists
Online Merchants
Security Management Specialists
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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.