At $9,144/yr net price, The University of Texas Permian Basin graduates earn $56,073/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,073/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,144 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $36,576 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,073/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,073/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,684/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,920/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,055/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,317/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,113/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $87,532 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,732 | $14,253 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $56,931 | $18,335 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $56,415 | |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Master | $55,512 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $54,252 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $53,894 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $17,515 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $48,823 | $17,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $21,381 |
The Risk Factor
43.0% of students at The University of Texas Permian Basin 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 Permian Basin is cheap, and that low cost carries the financial case here. You pay a net price under $10,000 a year and leave with median debt below $18,000, which is less than a third of what the median graduate earns after ten years. That gap between what you borrow and what you earn is the strongest number on this page.
Your major decides everything at this school. Petroleum engineering pays roughly $87,500, and mechanical engineering follows at close to $70,000 with debt around $14,000, meaning you could clear your loans in a single year of work. Both feed directly into the Permian Basin oil economy at your doorstep. Computer science, nursing, and accounting all land in the mid-$50,000s, solid returns against this low cost. If you can handle an engineering program tied to the local oilfield, the payoff is real.
The risks are the completion numbers. Only 43% of students graduate, and 61% return after their first year. If you borrow, spend two years here, and leave without a degree, you carry the debt without the earnings that justify it. That is the main way this school stops paying off for you.
The engineering majors are also tied to oil prices. A downturn in the Permian Basin hits petroleum and mechanical graduates hardest, so the top earnings figures assume a healthy regional market.
The net price barely moves with income. Families under $30,000 pay about $7,700, and families over $110,000 pay about $16,100. This is an affordable choice across the board, and the low sticker price protects lower-income families from heavy debt. Come here for engineering, nursing, computing, or accounting, commit to finishing, and the math works in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The University of Texas Permian Basin worth the cost?
UTPB offers solid value with a low net price of $9,144 and graduates earning $56,073 after 10 years. However, the 43% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who drop out.
What are the best paying majors at The University of Texas Permian Basin?
Petroleum engineering graduates earn $87,532 annually, making it the clear winner for ROI at UTPB. Mechanical engineering ($69,732) and computer science ($56,415) also provide decent returns on the relatively low tuition costs.
How much student debt do The University of Texas Permian Basin graduates have?
UTPB graduates carry a median debt of $17,750, which is manageable given the low tuition costs. The debt-to-income ratio works out reasonably well for engineering and tech majors, but education majors may struggle more with loan payments.
Does The University of Texas Permian Basin have good job placement?
UTPB's location in the Permian Basin oil region creates strong local job opportunities, especially for petroleum and mechanical engineering graduates. The high acceptance rate (95%) and low graduation rate suggest the school admits students who may not be academically prepared for success.