At $15,235/yr net price, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates earn $63,199/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,199/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,235 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $60,940 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,199/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,199/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,527 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,535/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,225/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,602/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,025/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,617/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $135,393 | $46,590 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $106,421 | $48,470 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $80,862 | $31,540 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,460 | $35,750 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $76,460 | $24,809 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $73,299 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $72,515 | $17,421 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,225 | $19,083 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $69,897 | $17,899 |
The Risk Factor
56.5% of students at The University of Texas at Arlington graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
UT Arlington gives you a solid financial return for a public school, with median earnings that comfortably clear the median debt you'd carry out. You borrow modestly here, and the payback math works in your favor if you pick the right major.
Nursing is the strongest bet on campus. It pays the most and leaves you with less debt than the engineering fields, making it the cleanest payoff at UT Arlington. Computer engineering, computer science, and industrial engineering all land in similar territory and feed directly into the Dallas-Fort Worth tech and manufacturing job market surrounding Arlington. Electrical engineering pays well too, but it carries the heaviest debt load of the top programs, so the return is thinner than the nursing route.
The real risk here is finishing. Fewer than three in five students graduate, and only about 73% come back after the first year. If you take extra semesters or leave without a degree, the debt stays and the earnings don't materialize. The strong outcomes above only apply if you complete a high-paying program, so choosing a lower-earning major and taking six years is where this school stops paying off.
The net price barely moves across the three lowest income brackets, so if your family earns under $75k, UTA costs you roughly the same regardless. Above $75k, your price jumps sharply. If your family earns over $110k, you pay well above the base net price, so weigh that against cheaper in-state options.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing or engineering and can finish on time. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-paying majors, the graduation odds make the debt a gamble worth thinking hard about before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The University of Texas at Arlington worth the cost?
UTA offers decent value with a net price of $15,235 and graduates earning $63,199 after 10 years. The nursing programs provide excellent returns with graduates earning over $100,000, but the 56% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at The University of Texas at Arlington?
Nursing programs at UTA lead earnings with graduates making $106,000-$135,000 annually. Engineering majors also perform well, with mechanical engineers earning around $82,000 and civil engineers making $76,000.
How much debt do students graduate with from The University of Texas at Arlington?
UTA graduates leave with a median debt of $17,527, which is manageable compared to the national average. This debt level is reasonable given the school's relatively low net price and solid post-graduation earnings.
What is the graduation rate at The University of Texas at Arlington?
Only 56% of students graduate from UTA within six years. This below-average completion rate is a significant concern, as nearly half of students don't finish their degrees despite the school's high acceptance rate of 81%.