Austin, Texas Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Austin, Texas shows: median public in-state tuition $23,500 (+326.3% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $59,854 (+10.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 89.8% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $9,120 (-32.1% vs U.S.) 82,274 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 23 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 82,274 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $23,500 (+326.3% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $59,854 (+10.2% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 89.8% (+1.9 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $21,991 (+120.6% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $9,120 (-32.1% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $11,012
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 44.6%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 69.0%

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Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Austin, Texas—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Texas and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Austin vs Texas & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Austin, Texas$23,500$21,991$9,12044.6%82,274
Texas (state median)$3,555$8,031$10,66745.2%1,239,434
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Austin, Texas vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Austin, Texas$59,85489.8%69.0%4.8%—70.5%0.39
Texas (state median)$54,27489.8%69.6%6.9%—69.1%0.40
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Texas (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Austin, Texas$23,500$21,991$9,12044.6%82,274$59,85489.8%
Houston$13,920$19,701$12,00046.7%137,564$59,22487.5%
San Antonio$11,707$20,465$9,50050.5%111,767$56,84490.7%
Dallas$17,666$22,800$13,00045.8%62,329$42,09186.2%
Fort Worth$11,934$24,181$15,50031.5%57,100$61,23890.7%
El Paso$9,744$15,578$11,00065.5%50,606$50,92389.2%
Denton$9,974$15,649$19,21854.9%43,336$56,77790.6%
Lubbock$20,196$21,763$12,61860.0%35,638$62,45492.4%
Arlington$16,390$22,520$8,50536.7%34,674$53,92288.6%
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

Outcomes by sector in Austin, Texas

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private nonprofit3$58,82689.6%58.3%5.5%—68.3%

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 88.9%, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 62.6%, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 44.6%, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 33.9%, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.7%, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 90.0%, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 89.6%, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 86.9%, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 most selective colleges in Austin, Texas (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 26.6%, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 39.1%, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 81.4%, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, Admission Rate, 91.2%, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $111,587, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,093, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,290, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $156,311, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $90,286, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $79,891, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $60,896, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $48,058, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,743, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,342, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $68,554, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $55,431, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $53,665, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $40,664, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $75,121, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $60,883, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $58,826, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $42,937, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $242,744, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $163,074, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $149,004, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $104,012, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 most affordable colleges in Austin, Texas (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $19,857, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $19,719, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $23,131, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $25,578, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

Top 10 colleges in Austin, Texas by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 96.7%, The University of Texas at Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Public · 42,855 enrolled · Austin

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 79.7%, Saint Edward's University

    Saint Edward's University

    Private nonprofit · 2,493 enrolled · Austin

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 58.3%, Concordia University Texas

    Concordia University Texas

    Private nonprofit · 1,185 enrolled · Austin

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 58.2%, Huston-Tillotson University

    Huston-Tillotson University

    Private nonprofit · 1,005 enrolled · Austin

In-state tuition: Austin, Texas vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Austin, Texas median in-state tuition is $23,500, +326.3% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Austin, Texas vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Austin, Texas is $9,120 (-32.1% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $11,012.

Median earnings (10 years out): Austin, Texas vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Austin, Texas center around $59,854 (+10.2% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Austin, Texas vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 89.8% at the median Austin, Texas campus (+1.9 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Austin, Texas median public in-state tuition is $23,500, about +326.3% vs the national median. Versus the Southwest region, tuition is +537.5%.

Median graduate debt is $9,120 (-32.1% below the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Austin, Texas are $59,854, about +10.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 89.8% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+1.9 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 69.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.8% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 70.5% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include The University of Texas at Austin (91.7%), Concordia University Texas (90.0%), Saint Edward's University (89.6%), Huston-Tillotson University (86.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Austin, Texas, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $58,826 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Austin, Texas is 44.6% (national institution average about 50.3%).

FAQ

How many colleges are in Austin?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 23 campuses in Austin, Texas with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Austin?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Austin is $23,500 and median net price is $21,991. For Texas overall, medians are $3,555 and $8,031; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in Austin?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Austin is $59,854 vs $54,274 for Texas and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for Austin colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Austin is $9,120 vs $10,667 for Texas and $13,432 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Austin?

EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include The University of Texas at Austin (graduation) and The University of Texas at Austin (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Austin?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 23 campuses in Austin, Texas, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Huston-Tillotson University; 16 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Austin Community College District, Baldwin Beauty School-South Austin, and Concordia University Texas; 5 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Presbyterian Church (USA) (1), Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (1), Protestant Episcopal (1).

Sources & related