At $11,234/yr net price, The University of Texas at San Antonio graduates earn $57,131/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,131/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,234 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $44,936 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,131/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,131/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,802/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,976/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,699/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,948/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,758/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $74,786 | $24,819 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $70,456 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,907 | $26,287 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Doctoral | $68,219 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $64,493 | $76,417 |
| Social Sciences, Other. | Doctoral | $63,600 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $63,180 | $20,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,734 | $24,907 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Master | $62,489 | |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | Bachelor | $61,218 | $20,375 |
The Risk Factor
51.2% of students at The University of Texas at San Antonio 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
UTSA gives you a solid financial return for a public school, mostly because your debt stays low. A median debt of $20,500 against $57,131 in median earnings means you can pay down what you borrow without it swallowing your paycheck. That balance is the strongest thing this school has going for it.
Your major decides almost everything here. Engineering pays off best: computer engineering graduates clear roughly $11,000 more per year than the school-wide median, and electrical and civil engineering follow close behind. San Antonio has a real construction and infrastructure economy, which is why building and construction management lands above $61,000 while carrying only about $20,000 in debt. That combination of high pay and low borrowing makes it one of the best bets on this list. Computer and information sciences hits the same sweet spot. The catch is that the top-earning engineering degrees also carry the heaviest debt loads on campus, around $25,000 to $26,000, so the payoff depends on you actually finishing.
Finishing is the real risk. A 51% graduation rate means roughly half of you won't have a degree in six years, and a dropout still owes the loans. The 79% retention rate says most of you come back for a second year, so the losses pile up later. If you leave without the degree, the ROI math above stops working entirely.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay under $8,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $19,758, nearly triple. UTSA fits you well if you're aiming at engineering, construction, or computing and can commit to finishing. Look harder at the numbers if you're undecided on a major or unsure you'll graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The University of Texas at San Antonio worth the cost?
UTSA offers decent value with a low net price of $11,234 annually and graduates earning $57,131 after 10 years. The return depends heavily on your major, with engineering and business programs showing much stronger earnings potential than the overall average.
What are the best paying majors at The University of Texas at San Antonio?
Business administration ($74,786), electrical engineering ($70,456), and computer engineering ($68,907) offer the highest returns at UTSA. These programs can justify the investment, while other majors may struggle to reach the school's overall earnings average.
How much debt do The University of Texas at San Antonio graduates have?
UTSA graduates carry a median debt of $20,500, which is manageable compared to the national average. With the low in-state tuition, students can minimize borrowing if they choose high-earning majors.
What is the graduation rate at The University of Texas at San Antonio?
Only 51% of UTSA students graduate within six years, which is below the national average. This completion risk means students should have a clear academic plan and consider whether they're prepared for college-level work before enrolling.