Sustainability Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin's Sustainability Studies degree earns graduates $35,255 in their first year—below the national median for this field but typical for Texas, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's three programs offering this major. The relatively low debt load of $18,636 creates a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly half their first year's salary. However, that's where the good news ends for a program at one of the nation's most selective public universities.

The real concern here is opportunity cost. You're sending your child to a school with a 29% admission rate and 1380 average SAT—a highly competitive institution where they could pursue dozens of other majors with stronger career prospects. Starting at $35,000 annually is low for any UT Austin graduate, and while sustainability is a growing field, this particular program doesn't appear to be launching students into higher-paying roles compared to peers nationally.

If your child is passionate about environmental issues, this degree provides a foundation without crushing debt. But consider whether that same passion could be channeled through environmental science, engineering, or policy programs at UT Austin that might offer stronger financial outcomes. The debt is reasonable, but the earnings suggest this path requires either graduate school or accepting below-average compensation relative to the credential's selectivity.