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The University of Texas at Austin stands apart from other Texas finance programs with graduates earning $70,680 annually, nearly $21,000 more than the second-highest earner on this list. While UT Austin commands a higher net price of $19,678, the return on investment becomes clear when compared to more affordable options like UT Rio Grande Valley at $6,500 net cost but with earnings of just $32,094. Texas finance graduates enter a job market anchored by major financial centers in Houston, Dallas, and Austin, where institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity Investments maintain significant operations. The state's 20 finance programs show remarkable cost variation, with net prices spanning from $6,500 to nearly $20,000, yet even the most expensive option delivers strong graduate outcomes. University of Houston leads the middle tier with a 64.90% graduation rate and $49,962 average earnings at a $13,853 net cost, while smaller regional universities like Texas A&M-Kingsville offer solid value propositions with 96.55% acceptance rates and $48,432 graduate earnings.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$48,661
Avg. Program Earnings
51.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,624 $49,019 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
2 $6,500 $32,094 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
3 $10,204 $48,432 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
4 $11,056 $50,717 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
5 $11,234 $49,864 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
6 $10,948 $48,432 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
7 $11,882 $46,478 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
8 $11,429 $42,123 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
9 $13,853 $49,962 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
10 $19,678 $70,680 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
11 $14,352 $50,693 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
12 $14,623 $49,370 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
13 $15,152 $50,231 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
14 $15,137 $47,729 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
15 $10,726 $33,664 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
16 $17,435 $53,687 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
17 $15,235 $45,767 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
18 $16,025 $45,383 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
19 $20,924 $59,124 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
20 $16,438 $45,636 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
21 $23,650 $64,990 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
22 $20,071 $54,803 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
23 $21,352 $55,512 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
24 $13,931 $35,416 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
25 $19,710 $48,041 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
26 $11,268 $24,912 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
27 $23,636 $50,856 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
28 $27,401 $57,318 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
29 $33,531 $61,020 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
30 $41,778 $73,446 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
31 $30,092 $50,439 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
32 $19,734 $31,314 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
33 $20,841 $32,563 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
34 $41,942 $59,425 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
35 $25,910 $33,993 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
36 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
37 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
38 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
39 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
40 $13,220 $9,548 29.4% 96.1%
41 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
42 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
43 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
44 $20,581 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
45 $20,410 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%
46 $14,041 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
47 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
48 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
49 $19,988 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
50 $28,690 $33,150 53.4% 95.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UT Austin worth its $19,678 net price compared to cheaper alternatives?

UT Austin graduates earn $70,680 annually, creating a $38,586 earnings premium over UT Rio Grande Valley graduates who pay $13,178 less in net costs. The school maintains an 87.60% graduation rate, the highest among Texas finance programs. With only 31.35% acceptance rate, UT Austin's selectivity correlates directly with superior post-graduation outcomes and career placement in top-tier financial firms.

How do regional Texas universities compare for finance program value?

Universities like Texas A&M-Kingsville offer strong accessibility with 96.55% acceptance rates while delivering $48,432 graduate earnings at $10,204 net cost. University of Houston-Clear Lake provides strong value with $50,717 earnings and 50.90% graduation rate for $11,056 net price. These regional options often outperform larger state universities in cost-adjusted returns, making them attractive for budget-conscious students.

Is the graduation rate gap significant among Texas finance programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 26.50% at University of Houston-Victoria to 87.60% at UT Austin, a 61-point spread that directly impacts program value. Schools like University of Houston achieve 64.90% graduation rates while maintaining reasonable $13,853 net costs. Students should weigh completion likelihood against cost, as lower graduation rates can nullify initial savings from cheaper programs.

Does student debt load vary meaningfully across Texas finance programs?

Student debt ranges from $15,000 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $24,186 at Texas Woman's University, with most programs clustering around $19,000-$20,000. University of Houston students graduate with just $15,611 in debt while earning $49,962 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. UT Austin's $20,500 debt load remains manageable given the $70,680 earning potential, resulting in strong long-term financial outcomes.

Where do Texas finance graduates find the best earning potential?

UT Austin leads decisively with $70,680 average earnings, followed by University of North Texas at $50,693 and University of Houston-Clear Lake at $50,717. The earnings gap between top and bottom performers spans $38,586, with UT Rio Grande Valley graduates starting at $32,094 annually. Major Texas financial centers in Houston, Dallas, and Austin drive these higher salaries through competitive job markets and corporate headquarters presence.

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