Skip to main content

Best Value Economics Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Rice University delivers the highest economics graduate earnings in Texas at $72,884 annually, yet maintains a net price of just $12,640 through generous financial aid. This creates an strong return on investment that outpaces many public alternatives costing more. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers the state's lowest net price at $6,500, making economics education accessible across income levels. Texas economics graduates enter a job market strengthened by the state's massive energy sector and Houston's role as an international business center. Public universities dominate the middle tier with net prices between $13,853 and $20,924, while private institutions like Trinity University and Texas Christian University command higher costs but deliver strong career outcomes. The 20 programs span from highly selective options with 8.68% acceptance rates to open-access institutions serving 87.7% of applicants. This range ensures Texas students can find quality economics education matching both their academic profile and financial circumstances, particularly valuable given the state's growing finance and technology sectors.
26
Programs
$6,500 – $41,778
Net Price Range
$47,607
Avg. Program Earnings
64.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Economics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,640 $72,884 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
2 $6,500 $29,141 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
3 $15,235 $50,856 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
4 $14,352 $43,575 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
5 $13,853 $40,768 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
6 $19,678 $54,238 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
7 $17,435 $42,682 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
8 $20,924 $49,814 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
9 $15,137 $35,060 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
10 $20,071 $44,970 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
11 $16,438 $36,674 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
12 $23,650 $52,107 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
13 $23,451 $44,384 $46,500 69.5% 54.4%
14 $25,470 $47,260 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%
15 $33,531 $55,286 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
16 $41,778 $62,012 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
17 $22,587 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
18 $17,517 $13,920 50.0%
19 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
20 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
21 $27,468 $51,058 69.3% 44.8%
22 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
23 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
24 $23,636 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
25 $25,910 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
26 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Rice University's strong value for economics students?

Rice combines the highest graduate earnings in Texas at $72,884 with a remarkably low net price of $12,640, creating superior return on investment. The university's 95.7% graduation rate and selective 8.68% acceptance rate indicate strong academic support and peer quality. Rice's location in Houston provides direct access to major employers in energy, finance, and international trade. This combination of affordability, outcomes, and geographic advantage makes Rice stand out among both public and private alternatives.

How do public university costs compare for economics programs across Texas?

Public university net prices range from $6,500 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $20,924 at Texas A&M College Station, showing significant variation even within the public sector. Universities like Houston ($13,853) and North Texas ($14,352) offer middle-ground pricing with solid career outcomes. UT Austin commands a premium at $19,678 but delivers $54,238 in graduate earnings and an 87.6% graduation rate. The $14,000 spread among public options gives students flexibility to balance cost with selectivity and location preferences.

Does attending a private economics program in Texas justify the higher costs?

Private programs show mixed value propositions, with net prices ranging from $23,451 at Austin College to $33,531 at Texas Christian University. Trinity University offers strong economics outcomes with $52,107 graduate earnings and an 81.9% graduation rate for $23,650 net cost. TCU graduates earn $55,286 annually but pay nearly $10,000 more in net costs. Private schools provide smaller classes and potentially stronger alumni networks, but several public alternatives like UT Austin deliver comparable earnings at lower total investment.

Where do Texas economics graduates find the best earning potential?

Graduate earnings vary dramatically from $29,141 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $72,884 at Rice University, reflecting both program quality and regional job markets. UT Austin ($54,238), TCU ($55,286), and Trinity ($52,107) cluster in the $50,000+ range, indicating strong career preparation. Texas A&M College Station graduates earn $49,814, while several programs fall in the $35,000-$45,000 range. Houston's financial district, Austin's tech sector, and Dallas's corporate headquarters provide varied opportunities for economics graduates across salary levels.

What graduation rate differences exist among Texas economics programs?

Graduation rates span from 33.7% at Texas A&M Corpus Christi to 95.7% at Rice University, highlighting dramatic differences in student success. UT Austin achieves 87.6% graduation rates while maintaining reasonable selectivity, and TCU reaches 85.6% with strong support systems. Several programs including Texas State (56.2%) and UT Arlington (56.5%) show moderate completion rates that may reflect broader accessibility missions. Programs with graduation rates below 60% often serve students who might not otherwise access higher education, though this impacts degree completion timelines.

More Economics Rankings

Cheapest Economics in Texas Economics Under $20,000 in Texas

Related

All Economics Programs Best Colleges in Texas Best Economics in Texas

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.